Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (Nov 2021)

Enhanced rapid commercial DNA extraction kit for the molecular detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2: Easy adaptation to current protocols

  • Rômulo Pessoa-e-Silva,
  • Priscilla Stela Santana de Oliveira,
  • Sayonara Maria Calado Gonçalves,
  • Klarissa Miranda Guarines,
  • Lidiane Vasconcelos do Nascimento Carvalho,
  • Maria Andreza Bezerra Correia,
  • Michelle Melgarejo da Rosa,
  • Moacyr Jesus Barreto de Melo Rêgo,
  • Maira Galdino da Rocha Pitta,
  • Michelly Cristiny Pereira

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0270-2021
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 54

Abstract

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Abstract INTRODUCTION Herein, the authors describe a simple enhancement to a commercial rapid DNA extraction kit based on simple viral lysis for detecting COVID-19 via RT-qPCR. METHODS After testing several different modifications, the adapted protocol with the best results in preliminary experiments was statistically evaluated in comparison with an automated robotic protocol. RESULTS Processing and testing of 119 nasopharyngeal samples ultimately yielded near-perfect agreement with the automated protocol (κ = 0.981 [95% confidence interval 0.943-1.000]). CONCLUSIONS The low cost and rapidity of the enhanced protocol makes it suitable for adoption in laboratories diagnosing COVID-19, especially those with high demand for examinations.

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