Identification of a Novel Pathogen Using Family-Wide PCR: Initial Confirmation of COVID-19 in Thailand
oleh: Supaporn Wacharapluesadee, Supaporn Wacharapluesadee, Rome Buathong, Sopon Iamsirithawon, Walairat Chaifoo, Teerada Ponpinit, Teerada Ponpinit, Chanida Ruchisrisarod, Chanida Ruchisrisarod, Chanikarn Sonpee, Chanikarn Sonpee, Panticha Katasrila, Panticha Katasrila, Siriporn Yomrat, Siriporn Yomrat, Siriporn Ghai, Siriporn Ghai, Sunee Sirivichayakul, Pilailuk Okada, Nanthawan Mekha, Opart Karnkawinpong, Sumonmal Uttayamakul, Apichart Vachiraphan, Tanarak Plipat, Thiravat Hemachudha, Thiravat Hemachudha
| Format: | Article |
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| Diterbitkan: | Frontiers Media S.A. 2020-10-01 |
Deskripsi
In resource-limited countries, early detection of novel pathogens is often challenging, due to financial and technical constraints. This study reports the efficacy of family-wide polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in screening, detecting, and identifying initial cases of the novel SARS-CoV-2 in Thailand. Respiratory secretions were collected from suspected individuals traveling from Wuhan, China to Thailand at the beginning of January 2020. Family-wide PCR assays yielded positive results for coronavirus in one traveler within 12 h on January 8, 2020. Nucleotide sequences (290 bp) showed 100% similarity to SARS-CoV-2. The whole genome sequence was further characterized by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) for confirmation. Combining family-wide PCR, as a rapid screening tool, with NGS, for full genome characterization, could facilitate early detection and confirmation of a novel pathogen and enable early containment of a disease outbreak.