Evaluation of RT-PCR assays for detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has been considered with great importance on correct screening procedure. The detection efficiency of recent variants of concern were observed by comparing 5 commercial RT-PCR kits and a SYBR-green method developed and validated in our laboratory. The RNA was extracted from nasopharyngeal samples from suspected COVID-19 patients and RT-PCR assay was performed according to the instruction of the respective manufacturers.

Relative expression of proinflammatory molecules in COVID-19 patients who manifested disease severities.

Aggressive immune response, due to overexpressed proinflammatory molecules, has been characterized in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Some of those mediators have a dual and opposite role on immune systems at play behind differential disease severities. We investigated the expression of some cytokines and chemokines in COVID-19 patients in Bangladesh.