A Dual-Target Real-time PCR for proactive detection of Mpox variants.

In 2022, cases of Monkeypox virus (MPXV) in California contained a mutation in the TNF receptor gene (GR2G) that rendered the virus undetectable using a widely adopted public health diagnostic qPCR assay. This underscored the need for a dual-target PCR approach and prompted validation of a second target by the BCCDC Public Health Laboratory. In addition to the GR2G target validated in the original qPCR assay (and duplexed with the endogenous target human β-globin (HBG)), GP113 (OPG128) was identified and validated using both clinical samples and MPXV DNA controls.

Prospective, clinical comparison of self-collected throat-bilateral nares swabs and saline gargle compared to health care provider collected nasopharyngeal swabs among symptomatic outpatients with potential SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Background: In British Columbia (BC), self-collected saline gargle (SG) is the only alternative to health care provider (HCP)-collected nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs to detect SARS-CoV-2 in an outpatient setting by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). However, some individuals cannot perform a SG. Our study aimed to assess combined throat-bilateral nares (TN) swabbing as a swab-based alternative.

Evaluation of a high volume antigen test for detection of SARS-CoV-2.

Increasing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection in successive waves may strain the capacity of laboratories performing molecular diagnostic testing. Alternative testing approaches may offer additional diagnostic capacity. A high throughput chemiluminescent antigen assay (Ortho VITROS SARS-CoV-2 antigen test) was evaluated using both an inactivated virus preparation and prospective clinical samples (nasopharyngeal swabs in virus transport medium).