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. 2020 Oct 7:8:555013.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.555013. eCollection 2020.

Identification of a Novel Pathogen Using Family-Wide PCR: Initial Confirmation of COVID-19 in Thailand

Supaporn Wacharapluesadee  1   2 , Rome Buathong  3 , Sopon Iamsirithawon  3 , Walairat Chaifoo  3 , Teerada Ponpinit  1   2 , Chanida Ruchisrisarod  1   2 , Chanikarn Sonpee  1   2 , Panticha Katasrila  1   2 , Siriporn Yomrat  1   2 , Siriporn Ghai  1   2 , Sunee Sirivichayakul  2 , Pilailuk Okada  4 , Nanthawan Mekha  4 , Opart Karnkawinpong  4 , Sumonmal Uttayamakul  5 , Apichart Vachiraphan  5 , Tanarak Plipat  3 , Thiravat Hemachudha  1   2
Affiliations

Identification of a Novel Pathogen Using Family-Wide PCR: Initial Confirmation of COVID-19 in Thailand

Supaporn Wacharapluesadee et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; NGS; SARS-CoV-2; Thailand; coronavirus; family-wide PCR; novel pathogen.

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