Detección temprana y eficiente de variantes Delta y Ómicron de SARS- Cov- 2 COVID-19 mediante tamizaje por RT-qPCR.

MANZUR, JIMENA; CAMPOS, LUDMILA; DI GENARO, SILVIA; LEPORATI, MARIANELA; ARIAS, JOSÉ LUIS; JURI AYUB, MAXIMILIANO

Revista de Bioquímica y Patología Clínica

Asociación Bioquímica Argentina

Lugar: Buenos Aires; Año: 2022

1515-6761

Introduction. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of so-called variants of concern (VOCs) has been a re-curring problem. The gold standard approach for the identification of new and current variantsis genomic se-quencing. However, the capacity of the genomic surveillance system is limited and prior screening strategies are required for sample selection. Objectives. To design, validate and apply Reverse-Transcription quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) strategies for the screening of the Delta and Omicron variants, as well as for the detection of eventual emergence of new variants. Materials and methods. Specific oligonucleotides (primers and probes) were designed to allow the discrimination between the different variants of SARS-Cov2, by hybridizing with regions corresponding to specific deletions. Amplification and melting assays of fluores-cent probes were used and validated with samples of different variants. Results. The assays allowed identifying VOCs quickly and efficiently, using standard methodologies in molecular diagnostic laboratories. Variant as-signment with this method was in complete agreement with data from sequencing. Conclusions. The protocols validated in this work allowed the early detection of the Delta and Omicron variants in the province of San Luis, as well as in other jurisdictions of Argentina where the methodology was transferred