Empleo de la RT-PCR en la detección del SARS-CoV-2

José Francisco Cancino Mesa; Adrián Alejandro Vitón  Castillo; Jorge Casí Torres

doi:10.1590/SciELOPreprints.1002

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José Francisco Cancino Mesa Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Granma https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9328-9856
Adrián Alejandro Vitón Castillo Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Pinar del Río, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas Ernesto Guevara de la Serna. Pinar del Río.
Jorge Casí Torres Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Celia Sánchez Manduley, Servicio de Medicina Interna. Manzanillo. Granma.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/SciELOPreprints.1002

Keywords:

Polymerase Chain Reaction, Coronavirus Infections, Clinical Laboratory Techniques

Abstract

The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction is a high precision technique to detect and amplify genetic material.

Aim: To describe the use of the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction as a laboratory test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2.

Method: a literature review was conducted on articles published up to May 2020. The following databases were consulted: Scopus, Wiley Online Library, SciELO, DIALNET, EBSCO, MEDLINE and PubMed. Articles in Spanish and English were retrieved, selecting 43 references.

Development: the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to detect SARS-CoV-2 targets the RNA polymerase dependent RNA, ORF1ab fragments, the E gene, the N gene and the S gene. Nasopharyngeal swabs offer better results than oropharyngeal swabs and saliva as a sample. The inclusion of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction tests (RT-PCR) using rectal swab specimens in suspected false-negative cases is necessary. New studies and techniques are being developed to optimise the detection process.

Conclusions: the availability of diagnostic tests is crucial for the isolation of positive cases and the monitoring of the transmission chain. RT-PCR proved to be the test of choice during the period of viral replication. The RT-LAMP assay is a rapid diagnostic alternative with similar principles to RT-PCR.