TrueNat for COVID-19 detection: An ideal screening option in emergency

Abstract

Introduction: TrueNat is a chip-based qRT-PCR that shortens the turnaround time and thus helps in prompt diagnosis of COVID-19 and early contact tracing. In tertiary care setups, TrueNat can be utilized in emergency departments to decide the course of management of suspected COVID-19 patients. Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the TrueNat Beta CoV E gene Screening assay, by comparing it with RT-PCR kits and assessing its utility in emergency setting. Materials and methods: We analysed nasopharyngeal swabs of 100 patients over a period of 3 months, extracting their RNA and subjecting these to PCR using TrueNat microPCR Beta CoV E gene screening chips and three commercially available ICMR approved RT-PCR kits. Results: There was 100% concordance among all the kits for the detection of E gene in all the 100 samples. 40 RNAs showed the presence of E gene of which 34 had a positive result for confirmatory genes. (N gene, ORF gene and RdRp gene). Conclusion: TrueNat Beta CoV E gene screening assay is beneficial as it has comparable sensitivity and specificity to the RT-PCR kits for detection of E gene.