The VIRType SARS-CoV-2 (K417N) kit provides all reagents for the rapid detection of the South Africa lineage B 1.351 on environmental surfaces as well as wastewater via RT-qPCR. Single point mutation referring to the K->N amino acid exchange specific for South Africa variant is detected in the FAMTM, whilst respective wild type S-gene region is detected in the HEXTM channel.
For Research Use Only!
The new SARS-CoV-2 variants often carrying multiple spike protein mutations as well as mutations in other genomic regions. The spike protein is key for viral entry and for vaccine development. Therefore, specific identification of theses variants is critical.
The VIRType SARS-CoV-2 (K417N) kit detects one single point mutation which result in the exchange of the amino acid Lysine to Asparagine in the spike protein at position 417. Mutations at position 417 is found in two variant lineages, however the exchange to an Asparagine is specific for South Africa lineage B.1.351 and can help the precise distinction of the different variant types of SARS-CoV-2.
The primer / probe combination of this RT-qPCR system is highly specific for the two SARS-CoV-2 lineage B 1.351 and does not cross-react with the S-gene region of SARS-CoV-2 wild type strain.
The VIRType SARS-CoV-2 (K417N) kit is validated for use with the Agilent AriaMxTM, Bio-Rad CFX96 TouchTM and the CFX96 TouchTM Deep Well PCR platforms.
The kit is intended to be used by analytical laboratories for wastewater or environmental surface samples as part of quality control / quality assurance testing, (e.g. virological monitoring of production processes) or food surface testing, however transmission via food surfaces is currently under investigation and has not been confirmed as a route of exposure.
The kit is not intended for clinical diagnostics and should therefore be regarded as “For Research Use Only”.
