Quality of the sample-based RNA determines the real-time RT-PCR results in the laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19

Sibra Rm Shihab; Bushran N Iqbal; Shiyamalee Arunasalam; Faseeha Noordeen

doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2023.116076

Quality of the sample-based RNA determines the real-time RT-PCR results in the laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2024 Jan;108(1):116076. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2023.116076. Epub 2023 Sep 2.

Authors

Sibra Rm Shihab¹, Bushran N Iqbal², Shiyamalee Arunasalam², Faseeha Noordeen³

Affiliations

¹ Diagnostic and Research Virology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka; Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
² Diagnostic and Research Virology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
³ Diagnostic and Research Virology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 37980858
DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2023.116076

Abstract

Effect of the quality of sample-based RNA on COVID-19 real-time RT-PCR results was investigated. The purity of the extracts was dependent on the extraction method (P<0.0001) and affected the test interpretations (P = 0.002). Gross RNA concentration negatively correlated with Ct values (P < 0.0001). The presence of impurities contributed to inconclusive test results.

Keywords: COVID-19; Ct value; Inconclusive results; RNA concentration; SARS-CoV-2.

MeSH terms

COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19* / diagnosis
Clinical Laboratory Techniques / methods
Humans
RNA, Viral / analysis
RNA, Viral / genetics
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
SARS-CoV-2 / genetics
Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

RNA, Viral