Temporal stability and detection sensitivity of the dry swab-based diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2

The rapid spread and evolution of various strains of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, continues to challenge the disease controlling measures globally. Alarming concern is, the number of second wave infections surpassed the first wave and the onset of severe symptoms manifesting rapidly. In this scenario, testing of maximum population in less time and minimum cost with existing diagnostic amenities is the only possible way to control the spread of the virus. The previously described RNA extraction-free methods using dry swab have been shown to be advantageous in these critical times by different studies. In this work, we show the temporal stability and performance of the dry swab viral detection method at two different temperatures. Contrived dry swabs holding serially diluted SARS-CoV-2 strains A2a and A3i at 25 degrees C (room temperature; RT) and 4 degrees C were subjected to direct RT-PCR and compared with standard VTM-RNA based method. The results clearly indicate that dry swab method of RNA detection is as efficient as VTM-RNA-based method in both strains, when checked for up to 72 h. The lesser C-T values of dry swab samples in comparison to that of the VTM-RNA samples suggest better sensitivity of the method within 48 h of time. The results collectively suggest that dry swab samples are stable at RT for 24 h and the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by RT-PCR do not show variance from VTM-RNA. This extraction free, direct RT-PCR method holds phenomenal standing in the present life-threatening circumstances due to SARS-CoV-2.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the temporal stability and performance of dry swab viral detection method under two different temperatures, showing that the method is as efficient as VTM-RNA-based method within 48 hours with better sensitivity. The results suggest that dry swab samples are stable at room temperature for 24 hours and detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by RT-PCR is comparable to VTM-RNA. This extraction-free, direct RT-PCR method holds significant potential in current life-threatening circumstances caused by SARS-CoV-2.