Garrett A. Perchetti

TL;DR: All assays tested were found to be highly specific for SARS-CoV-2, with no cross-reactivity with other respiratory viruses observed in the authors' analyses regardless of the primer-probe set or kit used.

TL;DR: Whether SARS-CoV-2 RNA could be detected from NP samples via a direct RT-qPCR assay that omits the RNA extraction step altogether is determined and has the potential to ease supply choke points to substantially expand COVID-19 testing and screening capacity.

TL;DR: Direct RT-qPCR could be a front-line approach to identify the substantial majority of COVID-19 patients, reserving a repeat test with RNA extraction for those individuals with high suspicion of infection but an initial negative result.

TL;DR: Evaluated data indicate that the Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag card has an analytical sensitivity approximately equivalent to a generic qRT-PCR cycle threshold (CT) value of 29 to 30, which is less sensitive than molecular detection methods.

TL;DR: A modified CDC-based laboratory developed test is able to detect SARSCoV- 2 accurately with similar sensitivity across all sample types tested, and the N2 gene target was found to be most sensitive in CSF.