German federal-state-wide seroprevalence study of 1 SARS-CoV-2 pandemic wave shows importance of long-term antibody test performance.

Background: Reliable data on the adult SARS-CoV-2 infection fatality rate in Germany are still scarce. We performed a federal state-wide cross-sectional seroprevalence study named SaarCoPS, that is representative for the adult population including elderly individuals and nursing home residents in the Saarland.

Methods: Serum was collected from 2940 adults via stationary or mobile teams during the 1 pandemic wave steady state period.

Rapid Base-Specific Calling of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern Using Combined RT-PCR Melting Curve Screening and SIRPH Technology.

Background: The emergence of novel variants of concern of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) demands fast and reliable detection of such variants in local populations.

Methods: Here we present a cost-efficient and fast workflow combining a prescreening of SARS-CoV-2-positive samples using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction melting curve analysis with multiplexed IP-RP-HPLC-based single nucleotide primer extensions.

Results: The entire workflow from positive SARS-CoV-2 testing to base-specific identification of variants requires about 24 hours.