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Journals / Journal of Experimental and Clinical Medicine / 2025 / Volume: 42 Issue: 4

Development and comparison of a rapid RT-qPCR assay with qiastat-Dx respiratory panel for the co-detection of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A virus and respiratory syncytial virus

Buket Baddal(NEAR EAST UNIVERSITY)0000-0003-3319-2179
Gokce Akan(NEAR EAST UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-3878-1135
Gülten Tuncel(NEAR EAST UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-3332-471X
Melis Kalaycı(NEAR EAST UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-5779-5532
Aysegul Bostancı(NEAR EAST UNIVERSITY)0000-0003-4319-9032
Tamer Sanlidag(NEAR EAST UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-6015-8032
Pages
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Publication Date
2025-12-31
DOI
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Overall, PPA (95% CI) in SARS-CoV-2 samples was 100 % (87-100 %), 92 % (72.5-98.6 %) in influenza A samples and 100 % (81.5-100 %) for RSV A/B samples.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Molecular multiplex assays for simultaneous detection of respiratory viral pathogens are central for the efficient identification of multiple pathogens with overlapping clinical presentation.
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Key Findings & Data:Following the COVID-19 pandemic, influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and SARS-CoV-2 began to co-circulate and health authorities issued a warning against a triple epidemic.
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Conclusion & Impact:Overall, PPA (95% CI) in SARS-CoV-2 samples was 100 % (87-100 %), 92 % (72.5-98.6 %) in influenza A samples and 100 % (81.5-100 %) for RSV A/B samples.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:2 samples
⚙️Variables:Respiratory syncytial virus · influenza A virus · SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Molecular multiplex assays for simultaneous detection of respiratory viral pathogens are central for the efficient identification of multiple pathogens with overlapping clinical presentation. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and SARS-CoV-2 began to co-circulate and health authorities issued a warning against a triple epidemic. In this study, a rapid and low-cost multiplex RT-qPCR assay was developed for the detection of influenza A virus, SARS-CoV-2 and RSV A/B. The assay was designed to include two mastermixes (MMs), MM-1 containing primer-probe mix to target SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus, and MM-2 containing primer-probe mix for RSV A and B. The assay was validated using 80 clinical oro-nasopharyngeal specimens and the results were compared to Qiastat-Dx respiratory panel. The four-target RT-qPCR assay was able to detect all of the SARS-CoV-2 positive (n=33) specimens and RSV A/B positive specimens (n=22), while the assay was unable to detect 2 of the influenza A positive samples (n=25) in comparison to Qiastat-Dx Analyzer, which had Ct > 35. All of the negative samples were detected correctly (n=60). Overall, PPA (95% CI) in SARS-CoV-2 samples was 100 % (87-100 %), 92 % (72.5-98.6 %) in influenza A samples and 100 % (81.5-100 %) for RSV A/B samples. In conclusion, a rapid, reliable and cost-effective multiplex RT-qPCR assay was developed for the simultaneous detection of four pathogens from nasopharyngeal swabs. This assay has the potential to enhance laboratory diagnostic capabilities and improve public health responses during future epidemics, enabling timely interventions.

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Cite This Article

Baddal, B., Akan, G., Tuncel, G., Kalaycı, M., Bostancı, A., Sanlidag, T. (2025). Development and comparison of a rapid RT-qPCR assay with qiastat-Dx respiratory panel for the co-detection of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A virus and respiratory syncytial virus. Journal of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Volume: 42 Issue: 4. https://ajindex.com/articles/1422548

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