Comparison of Two Field Deployable PCR Platforms for SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A and B Viruses’ Detection
Background: Respiratory viral infections are a major public health challenge and the most diagnosed medical condition, particularly for individuals living in close proximity, like military personnel. We compared the sensitivity and specificity of the Biomeme Franklin<sup>TM</sup> and Tru...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Hakim Bouamar Grace M. Reed Wanda Lyon Hector Lopez Anna Ochoa Susana N. Asin |
| author_facet | Hakim Bouamar Grace M. Reed Wanda Lyon Hector Lopez Anna Ochoa Susana N. Asin |
| author_sort | Hakim Bouamar |
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| description | Background: Respiratory viral infections are a major public health challenge and the most diagnosed medical condition, particularly for individuals living in close proximity, like military personnel. We compared the sensitivity and specificity of the Biomeme Franklin<sup>TM</sup> and Truelab<sup>®</sup> RT-PCR thermocyclers to determine which platform is more sensitive and specific at detecting SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A and B viruses. Methodology: RNA extracted from nasopharyngeal swabs of infected and uninfected individuals was tested on the Biomeme Franklin<sup>TM</sup> at Lackland and the Truelab<sup>®</sup> at Wright Patterson Air Force bases. Results: We found an 88% and 71% positivity rate in SARS-CoV-2-infected samples tested on Biomeme and Truelab<sup>®</sup>, respectively. Likewise, we found a 49% and 80% positivity rate in influenza-positive samples tested on Biomeme and Truelab<sup>®</sup>, respectively. One hundred percent of uninfected swab samples tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 on both platforms. Conversely, 91% and 100% of uninfected swabs tested negative for flu on Biomeme and Truelab<sup>®</sup>, respectively. Significance: Differences in specificity and sensitivity in detection of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza between Biomeme and Truelab<sup>®</sup> suggest that Truelab<sup>®</sup> is a more promising and potentially deployable diagnostic platform for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses’ detection in an austere environment. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj-art-7e1ff9c8604445c6a83b5483f2ab96032025-01-24T13:44:39ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172025-01-011412710.3390/pathogens14010027Comparison of Two Field Deployable PCR Platforms for SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A and B Viruses’ DetectionHakim Bouamar0Grace M. Reed1Wanda Lyon2Hector Lopez3Anna Ochoa4Susana N. Asin5Center for Advanced Molecular Detection, 59th Medical Wing/Science & Technology, Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland, TX 78236, USACenter for Advanced Molecular Detection, 59th Medical Wing/Science & Technology, Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland, TX 78236, USA711th Human Performance Wing, Airman Systems Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH 45433, USACenter for Advanced Molecular Detection, 59th Medical Wing/Science & Technology, Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland, TX 78236, USAUS Army FUTURE COMMANDS, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX 78234, USACenter for Advanced Molecular Detection, 59th Medical Wing/Science & Technology, Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland, TX 78236, USABackground: Respiratory viral infections are a major public health challenge and the most diagnosed medical condition, particularly for individuals living in close proximity, like military personnel. We compared the sensitivity and specificity of the Biomeme Franklin<sup>TM</sup> and Truelab<sup>®</sup> RT-PCR thermocyclers to determine which platform is more sensitive and specific at detecting SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A and B viruses. Methodology: RNA extracted from nasopharyngeal swabs of infected and uninfected individuals was tested on the Biomeme Franklin<sup>TM</sup> at Lackland and the Truelab<sup>®</sup> at Wright Patterson Air Force bases. Results: We found an 88% and 71% positivity rate in SARS-CoV-2-infected samples tested on Biomeme and Truelab<sup>®</sup>, respectively. Likewise, we found a 49% and 80% positivity rate in influenza-positive samples tested on Biomeme and Truelab<sup>®</sup>, respectively. One hundred percent of uninfected swab samples tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 on both platforms. Conversely, 91% and 100% of uninfected swabs tested negative for flu on Biomeme and Truelab<sup>®</sup>, respectively. Significance: Differences in specificity and sensitivity in detection of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza between Biomeme and Truelab<sup>®</sup> suggest that Truelab<sup>®</sup> is a more promising and potentially deployable diagnostic platform for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses’ detection in an austere environment.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/1/27SARS-CoV-2influenza A and Bpoint-of-care diagnostic testBiomemeMolBio |
| spellingShingle | Hakim Bouamar Grace M. Reed Wanda Lyon Hector Lopez Anna Ochoa Susana N. Asin Comparison of Two Field Deployable PCR Platforms for SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A and B Viruses’ Detection Pathogens SARS-CoV-2 influenza A and B point-of-care diagnostic test Biomeme MolBio |
| title | Comparison of Two Field Deployable PCR Platforms for SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A and B Viruses’ Detection |
| title_full | Comparison of Two Field Deployable PCR Platforms for SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A and B Viruses’ Detection |
| title_fullStr | Comparison of Two Field Deployable PCR Platforms for SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A and B Viruses’ Detection |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparison of Two Field Deployable PCR Platforms for SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A and B Viruses’ Detection |
| title_short | Comparison of Two Field Deployable PCR Platforms for SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A and B Viruses’ Detection |
| title_sort | comparison of two field deployable pcr platforms for sars cov 2 and influenza a and b viruses detection |
| topic | SARS-CoV-2 influenza A and B point-of-care diagnostic test Biomeme MolBio |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/1/27 |
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