Table 5 Comparison of the sensitivity for the RT-qPCR melting curve assay and Sanger sequencing for the training cohort.

From: Validation and advantages of using novel RT-qPCR melting curve analysis assays for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 variants

All samples

PCR assay

Sanger sequencing

PCR vs. Sanger

Conclusive

Inconclusive

%

Conclusive

Inconclusive

%

P-value

N501Y

80

2

97.6

56

26

68.3

1.814 × 10–6

E484K

78

4

95.1

55

27

67.1

1.146 × 10–5

K417N

76

6

92.7

55

27

67.1

9.801 × 10–5

P681H

78

4

95.1

47

35

57.3

3.746 × 10–8

N439K

81

1

98.7

56

26

68.3

4.338 × 10–7

Samples Ct > 31

PCR assay

Sanger sequencing

PCR vs. Sanger

Conclusive

Inconclusive

%

Conclusive

Inconclusive

%

P-value

N501Y

27

2

93.1

12

17

41.3

8.937 × 10–5

E484K

25

4

86.2

12

17

41.3

0.001043

K417N

23

6

79.3

11

18

37.9

0.003361

P681H

25

4

86.2

9

20

33.3

6.359 × 10–5

N439K

28

1

96.6

11

18

37.9

7.593 × 10–6

  1. The samples are divided into two groups: conclusive and inconclusive. Conclusive is when a result was available of the analysis and inconclusive was when a result was not available. The analysis is made for all the samples and the samples with a low amount of viral SARS-CoV-2 RNA (Ct > 31).
Back to article page