Title
Unlocking SARS-CoV-2 detection in low- and middle-income countries
Date Issued
22 November 2021
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Publisher(s)
Cell Press
Abstract
Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are significantly affected by SARS-CoV-2, partially due to their limited capacity for local production and implementation of molecular testing. Here, we provide detailed methods and validation of a molecular toolkit that can be readily produced and deployed using laboratory equipment available in LMICs. Our results show that lab-scale production of enzymes and nucleic acids can supply over 50,000 tests per production batch. The optimized one-step RT-PCR coupled to CRISPR-Cas12a-mediated detection showed a limit of detection of 102 ge/μL in a turnaround time of 2 h. The clinical validation indicated an overall sensitivity of 80%–88%, while for middle and high viral load samples (Cq ≤ 31) the sensitivity was 92%–100%. The specificity was 96%–100% regardless of viral load. Furthermore, we show that the toolkit can be used with the mobile laboratory Bento Lab, potentially enabling LMICs to implement detection services in unattended remote regions.
Volume
1
Issue
7
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Bioquímica, Biología molecular
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85118504823
Source
Cell Reports Methods
ISSN of the container
26672375
Source funding
Validación clínica de la plataforma UnCovid para la detección molecular de SARS-CoV-2
Sponsor(s)
Funding text 1 We are very thankful to Dr. Marcos Milla for donating equipment that was used in this study. We would also like to thank all lab members of the del Valle, Adaui, and Milón groups for their help, support, helpful discussions, and great working atmosphere. This work was supported by grants from the peruvian Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico Tecnológico y de Innovación Tecnológica [ 070-2020-FONDECYT ] to V.A. and [ 036-2019-FONDECYT-BM-INC.INV ] to P.M. Funding text 2 We are very thankful to Dr. Marcos Milla for donating equipment that was used in this study. We would also like to thank all lab members of the del Valle, Adaui, and Mil?n groups for their help, support, helpful discussions, and great working atmosphere. This work was supported by grants from the peruvian Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Cient?fico Tecnol?gico y de Innovaci?n Tecnol?gica [070-2020-FONDECYT] to V.A. and [036-2019-FONDECYT-BM-INC.INV] to P.M. Conceptualization and methodology, R.A. K.P. V.A. and P.M.; investigation, R.A. K.P. J.A.N. G.M.R. and J.M.L.; formal analysis, R.A. K.P. J.A.N. J.D.V.M. and P.M.; writing ? original draft, R.A. K.P. J.A.N. and P.M.; writing ? review & editing, R.A. K.P. J.A.N. G.M.R. V.A. J.D.V.M. and P.M.; visualization, K.P. J.A.N. R.A. and P.M.; supervision, J.D.V.M. V.A. and P.M.; project administration, P.M. The authors declare no competing interests.
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus