Comparison of the PowerChek SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A&B, RSV Multiplex Real-time PCR Kit and BioFire Respiratory Panel 2.1 for simultaneous detection of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B, and respiratory syncytial virus

J Virol Methods. 2021 Dec:298:114304. doi: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2021.114304. Epub 2021 Sep 28.

Abstract

The potential co-circulation of SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) could pose an unprecedented challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. Here, we compared the performance of the PowerChek SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A&B, RSV Multiplex Real-time PCR Kit (PowerChek) for simultaneous detection of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B, and respiratory syncytial virus with that of BioFire Respiratory Panel 2.1 (RP2.1) using 175 nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) specimens. Positive percent agreement and negative percent agreement of the PowerChek assay compared to RP2.1 were as follows: 100 % (40/40) and 100 % (135/135) for SARS-CoV-2; 100 % (39/39) and 100 % (136/136) for influenza A; 100 % (35/35) and 100 % (140/140) for influenza B; and 93.1 % (27/29) and 100 % (146/146) for RSV, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) was accessed using RNA standards for each virus, and the LOD values of the PowerChek assay for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B, and RSV were 0.36, 1.24, 0.09, and 0.63 copies/μL, respectively. Our results demonstrate that the PowerChek assay is sensitive and accurate for detection of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B, and RSV, suggesting that this assay can be a valuable diagnostic tool when SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and RSV are co-circulating.

Keywords: COVID-19; Influenza; PowerChek; RSV; Real-time PCR; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Humans
  • Influenza B virus / genetics
  • Influenza, Human* / diagnosis
  • Nasopharynx
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections* / diagnosis
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human* / genetics
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Sensitivity and Specificity