Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) can detect the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a highly specific manner. However, a decrease in the specificity of PCR assays for their targets may lead to false negative results.
METHODS:
Here, 177 high-coverage complete SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences from 13 Brazilian states were aligned with 15 WHO recommended PCR assays.
RESULTS:
Only 3 of the 15 completely aligned to all Brazilian sequences. Ten assays had mismatches in up to 3 sequences and two in many sequences.
CONCLUSION:
These results should be taken into consideration when using PCR-based diagnostics in Brazil.
Keywords:
SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Polymerase chain reaction; Diagnosis; Mismatches