RT-qPCR Testing of SARS-CoV-2: A Primer

RT-qPCR Testing of SARS-CoV-2: A Primer

Stephen A. Bustin, Tania Nolan

Testing for the presence of coronavirus is an essential diagnostic tool for monitoring and managing the current COVID-19 pandemic. The only reliable test in current use for testing acute infection targets the genome of SARS-CoV-2, and the most widely used method is quantitative fluorescence-based reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Despite its ubiquity, there is a significant amount of uncertainty about how this test works, potential throughput and reliability. This has resulted in widespread misrepresentation of the problems faced using this test during the current COVID-19 epidemic. This primer provides simple, straightforward and impartial information about RT-qPCR.

2020

COVID-19, SARS, Pandemic, reverse transcription, Real-time fluorescence PCR

DOI: 10.3390/ijms21083004

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

MDPI AG

Biology (General), Chemistry

EN