A deletion in the N gene may cause diagnostic escape in SARS-CoV-2 samples

Five SARS-CoV-2-positive samples showed N-gene drop-out with a RT-PCR multiplex test. WGS found all samples to harbor a deletion in the same region of the N gene, which is likely to impair the efficiency of amplification. This highlights the need for a continued surveillance of viral evolution and diagnostic test performance. (c) 2021 Published by Elsevier Inc.

Automated summary

Five SARS-CoV-2-positive samples showed N-gene drop-out in RT-PCR multiplex test, all harboring a deletion in the same region of the N gene. This highlights the importance of ongoing surveillance of viral evolution and diagnostic test performance.