Coronaviruses have been around for decades, causing a range of illnesses from the common cold to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Until the SARS-CoV-2 strain quickly spread across the globe and led to millions of deaths, there wasn’t a widespread need to monitor this family of pathogens. Now, as COVID-19 remains a significant health threat and continues to disrupt day-to-day life, the ability to detect, examine and better understand SARS-CoV-2 behavior within communities is critical to gaining control of the pandemic.
During a recent Labroots webinar, Manohar Furtado, Ph.D., director of R&D for genetic testing solutions at Thermo Fisher Scientific, discussed how SARS-CoV-2 is mutating and how testing technologies are evolving to keep up with a rapidly changing public health situation.
The shifting SARS-CoV-2 landscape
SARS-CoV-2 is mutating. While some mutations won’t change how the virus affects populations, others have the potential to make it better at infecting people, less susceptible to vaccines and treatments, or more likely to cause severe disease.
When variants first emerge, it is difficult to determine how they will change transmission characteristics and the course of infection. With data collection and analysis over time, the picture becomes clearer. We now know, for example, that the Delta variant first identified months into the pandemic transmits more readily than earlier strains and can evade vaccine-mediated protection. With more variants of concern at play and their effects uncertain, stopping the spread of SARS-CoV-2 is more important than ever.
Controlling COVID-19 through testing
Access to reliable testing is a key line of defense in protecting communities from COVID-19.
To help ensure detection methods remain robust despite viral mutation, Thermo Fisher introduced a suite of TaqPath COVID-19 2.0 solutions.* These sensitive and specific PCR tests can deliver results within hours; they look for eight targets across three regions that are both unique to SARS-CoV-2 and more resistant to mutation. Developing such a robust assay with multiple targets helps reduce the risk of false positives from other coronaviruses and maintains test accuracy in the presence of variants. If a mutation in one area arises, the test can still recognize one of the other targets.
Turnaround time and ease of use are also important factors when testing for SARS-CoV-2, as quick and easy identification of people who are infected allows for faster measures to prevent further transmission. While lab-based PCR testing remains the most accurate and sensitive means to detect and diagnose COVID-19, the Accula SARS-CoV-2 Test offers a method for rapid diagnosis in urgent care and emergency room settings and for rapid screening of people going to work, school, events or large gatherings.
Identifying and detecting SARS-CoV-2 variants
When a test positively identifies SARS-CoV-2, it can be of personal and public health interest to understand which strain is responsible for the infection.
Thermo Fisher offers a broad portfolio of genetic analysis research platforms to support detailed analysis of SARS-CoV-2 positive samples. The TaqMan SARS-CoV-2 Mutation Panel** is designed to detect and identify known variants, with new assay options being introduced over time as more variants are discovered. If researchers suspect a new mutation is in the mix, they can use Sanger or next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms to take a closer look at areas of interest or characterize the full viral genome.
Countries all over the world are using these technologies to track variant spread, implement critical public health measures quickly, and develop a more comprehensive understanding of how mutations affect disease course. In combination with efficient and reliable testing, surveillance strategies can help slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2, protect communities from COVID-19, and most importantly, save lives.
For access to this webinar and more information about the continued importance of COVID-19 diagnostics and surveillance, check out the Labroots Coronavirus Virtual Event Series.
To learn more about Thermo Fisher Scientific’s COVID-19 Testing Solutions, please visit https://www.thermofisher.com/covid19.
*For Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) only. For prescription use only. For in vitro diagnostic use.
**For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.