User:Shawndouglas/sandbox/sublevel1

High- and moderate-complexity CLIA testing

At various times during the pandemic, reagent shortages have hampered many efforts to expand testing in parts of the world, including the United States. For the attentive laboratory wanting to remain agile in its testing, the laboratory's reagent choices will likely be closely tied to both the assays it chooses to implement and how reliably the supplier can get them to the lab. This in turn is likely driven by whether the lab is using a lab-developed test or a test kit. In some cases, e.g., the Xiamen Zeesan Biotech SARS-CoV-2 Test Kit (Real-time PCR), all but the Virus RNA Extraction Kit is included. On the other hand, Biomeme's SARS-CoV-2 Real-Time RT-PCR Test requires the separate acquisition of PCR buffer and external controls other than the exogenous RNA Process Control that comes with the kit. Yale's SalivaDirect is a more flexible test, validated for use with multiple instruments and reagents that are not proprietary to Yale. Pay close attention to what comes with the assay, typically by reviewing the instructions for use (IFU; found on the FDA's EUA page).

For PCR, the five basic reagents are template DNA, PCR primers, nucleotides, PCR buffer, and thermostable DNA polymerase. Some of these components can be acquired pre-mixed as a "master mix." For example, Thermo Fisher's PCR Master Mix contains a thermostable DNA polymerase called Taq, nucleotides called deoxynucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs), and a buffer, which "saves time and reduces contamination due to a reduced number of pipetting steps."

Reagent cost and usage for isothermal amplification methods such as LAMP are similar, though buffers and primers specific to the method are required.

CLIA-waived testing

The FDA EUA devices (Table 1 and 2) all come with the necessary reagents, with the exception of any controls or references you may require. Refer to the IFU for the waived test kit to determine what additional consumables you'll require.