Rapid and High-Throughput Reverse Transcriptase Quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) Assay for Identification and Differentiation between SARS-CoV-2 Variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351
Oran Erster, Ella Mendelson, Virginia Levy, Areej Kabat, Batya Mannasse, Hadar Asraf, Roberto Azar, Yaniv Ali, Rachel Shirazi, Efrat Bucris, Dana Bar-Ilan, Orna Mor, Michal Mandelboim, Danit Sofer, Shai Fleishon, Neta S. Zuckerman
Abstract
This study describes the design and utilization of a multiplex reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to identify SARS-COV-2 (SC2) RNA in general and, specifically, to detect whether it is of lineage B.1.1.7 or B.1.351. Implementation of this method in diagnostic and research laboratories worldwide may help the efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The method can be easily scaled up and be used in high-throughput laboratories, as well as small ones. In addition to immediate help in diagnostic efforts, this method may also help in epidemiological studies focused on the spread of emerging SC-2 lineages.