High-Throughput Adaptable SARS-CoV-2 Screening for Rapid Identification of Dominant and Emerging Regional Variants. Issue 6 (6th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hubler, Zita; Song, Xiao; Norris, Cameron; Jani, Mehul; Alouani, David; Atchley, Maureen; Stempak, Lisa; Cherian, Sarah; Schmotzer, Christine; Sadri, Navid
• Is Part Of: American journal of clinical pathology. Volume 157:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 927
• Page End: 935
• Publication Date: 2022-01-06
• Subjects: SARS-CoV-2 -- Variant identification -- Delta variant -- Targeted testing -- Variant of concern -- Variant screening -- E484K; Diagnosis, Laboratory -- Periodicals; Pathology -- Periodicals; 616.07
• DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqab212
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-9173

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant strains can be associated with increased transmissibility, more severe disease, and reduced effectiveness of treatments. To improve the availability of regional variant surveillance, we describe a variant genotyping system that is rapid, accurate, adaptable, and able to detect new low-level variants built with existing hospital infrastructure. Methods: We used a tiered high-throughput SARS-CoV-2 screening program to characterize variants in a supraregional health system over 76 days. Combining targeted reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and selective sequencing, we screened SARS-CoV-2 reactive samples from all hospitals within our health care system for genotyping dominant and emerging variants. Results: The median turnaround for genotyping was 2 days using the high-throughput RT-PCR–based screen, allowing us to rapidly characterize the emerging Delta variant. In our population, the Delta variant is associated with a lower cycle threshold value, lower age at infection, and increased vaccine-breakthrough cases. Detection of low-level and potentially emerging variants highlights the utility of a tiered approach. Conclusions: These findings underscore the need for fast, low-cost, high-throughput monitoring of regional viral sequences as the pandemic unfolds and the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants increases. Combining RT-PCR–based screening with selective sequencing allows for rapid genotyping of variants and dynamic system improvement.