Frontiers in Public Health (Oct 2020)

Identification of a Novel Pathogen Using Family-Wide PCR: Initial Confirmation of COVID-19 in Thailand

  • Supaporn Wacharapluesadee,
  • Supaporn Wacharapluesadee,
  • Rome Buathong,
  • Sopon Iamsirithawon,
  • Walairat Chaifoo,
  • Teerada Ponpinit,
  • Teerada Ponpinit,
  • Chanida Ruchisrisarod,
  • Chanida Ruchisrisarod,
  • Chanikarn Sonpee,
  • Chanikarn Sonpee,
  • Panticha Katasrila,
  • Panticha Katasrila,
  • Siriporn Yomrat,
  • Siriporn Yomrat,
  • Siriporn Ghai,
  • Siriporn Ghai,
  • Sunee Sirivichayakul,
  • Pilailuk Okada,
  • Nanthawan Mekha,
  • Opart Karnkawinpong,
  • Sumonmal Uttayamakul,
  • Apichart Vachiraphan,
  • Tanarak Plipat,
  • Thiravat Hemachudha,
  • Thiravat Hemachudha

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.555013
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8

Abstract

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In resource-limited countries, early detection of novel pathogens is often challenging, due to financial and technical constraints. This study reports the efficacy of family-wide polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in screening, detecting, and identifying initial cases of the novel SARS-CoV-2 in Thailand. Respiratory secretions were collected from suspected individuals traveling from Wuhan, China to Thailand at the beginning of January 2020. Family-wide PCR assays yielded positive results for coronavirus in one traveler within 12 h on January 8, 2020. Nucleotide sequences (290 bp) showed 100% similarity to SARS-CoV-2. The whole genome sequence was further characterized by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) for confirmation. Combining family-wide PCR, as a rapid screening tool, with NGS, for full genome characterization, could facilitate early detection and confirmation of a novel pathogen and enable early containment of a disease outbreak.

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