Ming-Jr Jian1, Hsing-Yi Chung1, Chih-Kai Chang1, Jung-Chung Lin2, Kuo-Ming Yeh2, Sheng-Kang Chiu2, Yi-Hui Wang1, Shu-Jung Liao1, Shih-Yi Li1, Shan-Shan Hsieh1, Cherng-Lih Perng1, Feng-Yee Chang3, Hung-Sheng Shang4. 1. Division of Clinical Pathology, Department of Pathology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan, Republic of China. 2. Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan, Republic of China. 3. Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan, Republic of China. Electronic address: fychang@ndmctsgh.edu.tw. 4. Division of Clinical Pathology, Department of Pathology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan, Republic of China. Electronic address: iamkeith001@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Immediate detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is critical for preventing the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The LabTurbo AIO 48 system is an automated platform that allows nucleic acid extraction and sample analysis on the same instrument, producing faster results without affecting their accuracy. We aimed to independently evaluate the LabTurbo AIO 48 (all-in-one system) for SARS-CoV-2 detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comparative limit of detection (LOD) was assessed on both the LabTurbo AIO 48 and current standard detection system based on real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), using SARS-CoV-2 RNA control. Additional 125 primary clinical samples were assessed using both the protocols in parallel. RESULTS: The turnaround time from sample to results for 48 samples analyzed on LabTurbo AIO 48 was approximately 2.5 h, whereas that analyzed using the in-house RT-PCR protocol was 4.8 h. LabTurbo AIO 48 also demonstrated higher sensitivity than our reference RT-PCR assay, with a LOD of 9.4 copies/reaction. The overall percentage agreement between both the methods for 125 samples was 100%. CONCLUSION: LabTurbo AIO 48 is a robust detection option for SARS-CoV-2, allowing faster results and, consequently, aiding in better control and prevention of COVID-19.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Immediate detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is critical for preventing the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The LabTurbo AIO 48 system is an automated platform that allows nucleic acid extraction and sample analysis on the same instrument, producing faster results without affecting their accuracy. We aimed to independently evaluate the LabTurbo AIO 48 (all-in-one system) for SARS-CoV-2 detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comparative limit of detection (LOD) was assessed on both the LabTurbo AIO 48 and current standard detection system based on real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), using SARS-CoV-2 RNA control. Additional 125 primary clinical samples were assessed using both the protocols in parallel. RESULTS: The turnaround time from sample to results for 48 samples analyzed on LabTurbo AIO 48 was approximately 2.5 h, whereas that analyzed using the in-house RT-PCR protocol was 4.8 h. LabTurbo AIO 48 also demonstrated higher sensitivity than our reference RT-PCR assay, with a LOD of 9.4 copies/reaction. The overall percentage agreement between both the methods for 125 samples was 100%. CONCLUSION: LabTurbo AIO 48 is a robust detection option for SARS-CoV-2, allowing faster results and, consequently, aiding in better control and prevention of COVID-19.