SARS-CoV-2 N Gene G29195T Point Mutation May Affect Diagnostic Reverse Transcription-PCR Detection
Karrie Kwan Ki Ko, Nurdyana Binte Abdul Rahman, Shireen Yan Ling Tan, Kenneth X. L. Chan, Sui Sin Goh, James Heng Chiak Sim, Kun Lee Lim, Wan Loo Tan, Kian Sing Chan, Lynette Lin Ean Oon, Niranjan Nagarajan, Chayaporn Suphavilai
Abstract
Accurate diagnostic detection of SARS-CoV-2 currently depends on the large-scale deployment of RT-PCR assays. SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assays target predetermined regions in the viral genomes by complementary binding of primers and probes to nucleic acid sequences in the clinical samples. Potential diagnostic escapes, such as those of clinical samples harboring the G29195T mutation, may result in false-negative SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR results. The rapid detection and sharing of potential diagnostic escapes are essential for diagnostic laboratories and manufacturers around the world, to optimize their assays as SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve.