Alternative detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by a new assay based on mass spectrometry.
OBJECTIVES
Accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA is essential to stopping the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the recently introduced MassARRAY® SARS-CoV-2 Panel and to compare it to the cobas® SARS-CoV-2 Test.


METHODS
The MassARRAY® SARS-CoV-2 Panel consists of five assays targeting different sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Accuracy was determined using national and international proficiency panels including 27 samples. For clinical evaluation, 101 residual clinical samples were analyzed and results compared. Samples had been tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA with the cobas® SARS-CoV-2 Test.


RESULTS
When accuracy was tested with the MassARRAY® SARS-CoV-2 Panel, 25 of 27 (92.6%) samples revealed correct results. When clinical samples were analyzed with the MassARRAY® SARS-CoV-2 Panel and compared to the cobas® SARS-CoV-2 Test, 100 samples showed concordant results. One sample was found to be inconclusive with the MassARRAY® SARS-CoV-2 Panel. When time-to-results were compared, the new assay showed longer total and hands-on times.


CONCLUSIONS
The MassARRAY® SARS-CoV-2 Panel showed a good performance and proved to be suitable for use in the routine diagnostic laboratory. Especially during phases of shortage of reagents and/or disposables, the new test system appears as beneficial alternative to standard assays used for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
['Stelzl|Evelyn|E|', 'Kessler|Harald H|HH|', 'Mustafa|Hans G|HG|', 'Mustafa|Maria E|ME|', 'Santner|Brigitte I|BI|', 'Seier|Josef|J|', 'La Torre|Marco|M|', 'Haushofer|Alexander C|AC|']
D000086382:COVID-19 D000086742:COVID-19 Testing D006801:Humans D013058:Mass Spectrometry D009305:Nasopharynx D012367:RNA, Viral D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction D015203:Reproducibility of Results D000086402:SARS-CoV-2
SARS-CoV-2 RNA mass spectrometry MassARRAY®SARS-CoV-2 panel PCR