For the simultaneous in vitro detection and differentiation of RNA of SARSCoV-2 (E gene, RdRP gene and S gene), Influenza Virus A (Flu A) and Influenza Virus B (Flu B), extracted from biological specimens.
1 Intended Use
The respiraScreen 2 real time RT-PCR Kit is a screening assay for the simultaneous detection of three groups of different respiratory viruses. The design allows the differentiation of Influenza Virus A (Flu A), Influenza Virus B (Flu B) from the pandemic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (E gene, RdRP gene and S gene), extracted from biological specimens.
2 Pathogen Information
Influenza Viruses belong to the family of Orthomyxoviridae. They are the causative agent of ‘the flu’. Influenza A and B viruses have a single stranded RNA genome, consisting of 8 RNA segments. The genome of Influenza A Viruses is characterized by a high mutation frequency, the so-called ‘antigenic drift‘. Numerous subtypes of Influenza A Viruses are known. They can be categorized by their surface antigens H (haemagglutinin) and N (neuraminidase): Influenza A (H1N1) Virus, Influenza A (H5N1) Virus etc. Therefore, yearly in silico analysis of the sequences of newly emerged subtypes is done, to prevent false negative results caused by primer and/or probe mismatches. Influenza B viruses show a 2 – 3 times slower mutation rate then type A.
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is a new strain within the Sarbecoviruses that has been previously identified in humans