COVID-19 Variant Catcher kit

COVID-19 Variant Catcher is an in vitro diagnostic test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 S gene mutations, by one-step Real-Time RT-PCR.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) is a strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), the respiratory illness responsible for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Genetic sequencing studies have revealed numerous mutations, mainly single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertion/deletions, that are mostly neutral or mildly deleterious. However, a small percentage of mutations can alter the fitness and help the virus to adapt. These substitutions or deletions can alter the peptide polarity, affecting the structure and functionality of viral proteins involved in pathogenicity, infectivity, transmissibility and antigenicity.

COVID-19 Variant Catcher is a qualitative test that allows the identification of the S gene mutations HV 69-70del, E484K and N501Y for discrimination of SARS-CoV-2 (Wuhan strain) from SARS-CoV-2 strains B.1.1.7, B.1.351 and P.1. The COVID-19 Variant Catcher kit must be used with RNA extracted from samples tested as positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus with the current validated, PCR-based methods available in the market.

Target:

RNA extracted from positive SARS-CoV-2 biological samples
Internal Control (IC)

Diagnostic samples:

RNA extracted from positive SARS-CoV-2 biological samples

Real-Time PCR instruments:

Applied Biosystems 7500 Fast (ThermoFisher SCIENTIFIC)
Rotor-Gene Q MDx (RG-Q MDx - QIAGEN)
CFX96 Real-Time PCR Detection System (Bio-Rad)