INDUSTRY MATTERS
Critical Considerations for COVID-19 Detection
by Arvind Kothandaraman, general manager, Specialty Diagnostics, PerkinElmer
Finding the right supplier network for a public
heath laboratory’s COVID-19 Real-Time PCR
test can be a difficult decision. The challenges
are unprecedented, and the solutions may
seem obscure. The following factors will help
laboratories evaluate their supply options and
make a clear choice.
Assay performance
The viral dynamics of SARS-CoV-2, the
virus that causes COVID-19, is not yet
fully understood. There is evidence that
viral load tends to correlate with the
severity of infection. Reports also suggest
the possibility of COVID-19 transmission
from persons who are pre-symptomatic
or asymptomatic. Therefore, a highly
sensitive diagnostic assay with the ability
to detect low viral load is required to
accurately detect the virus and assist
in preventing the spread of infection.
Automation and assay controls are
effective tools to ensure robust results.
Availability of reagents and
equipment
Public health laboratories report that
supply interruption has had a significant
negative impact, resulting in delayed
results and decline in requests received
over time. Vendors with a steady supply
chain and a transparent view into this
should be prioritized. Materials can be
PerkinElmer Coronavirus Nucleic Acid Detection Kit
Relying on the existing
onsite support infrastructure
and our 15-year relationship
with PerkinElmer, we knew we
not only had the solutions to
set up our own PCR assay, but also
the engineers on speed dial
to troubleshoot as needed.”
Rachel Lee, PhD
directly sourced from manufacturers
who meet these criteria or from
organizations such as the International
Reagent Resource (IRR) that source from
manufacturers and supply at no cost to
eligible organizations like US public health
laboratories.
Processing capacity
Many laboratories plan to increase
capacity by adding platforms, shifts or
expanding their workforce. With the
flu season fast approaching, there is an
increasing need to run a flexible operation
to cope with fluctuating demand for
testing. Modular automation of viral
nucleic acid extraction and real-time PCR
preparation can help laboratories adapt
to variable sample throughput and reduce
exposure of staff to the risk of laboratoryacquired
infections.
Sample-to-answer solution
Testing is a complex, multistep process.
Suppliers offering a comprehensive,
ready-made solution to implement
automated COVID-19 testing can simplify
life for laboratory staff. A consolidation
to an appropriate vendor can improve
procurement efficiency and visibility to
availability status of specialized reagents
and equipment.
The Arkansas Public Health Laboratory
has been on the front lines in testing its
residents for COVID-19 and has increased
its testing goals. To meet its requirements,
the state has adopted an automated
workflow from PerkinElmer, which
Arvind Kothandaraman, general manager, Specialty
Diagnostics, PerkinElmer
has enabled the laboratory to increase
samples processed with less staff.
Support
When laboratories navigate unchartered
territory, quality of support can be the
difference between success and failure. A
responsive and meticulous support team
can help guarantee a better experience
inside and outside the lab by assisting in
every step along the way from installation
to analysis. Laboratories should opt to
work with suppliers they trust.
Rachel Lee, PhD, manager of the
Biochemistry and Genetics Branch at
the Texas Department of State Health
Services, Laboratory Services Section,
believes that having a reliable and
trusted supplier was integral in ramping
up her laboratory’s testing needs. “We
were under immense pressure to rapidly
increase capacity to meet the testing
demand,” she said. “Relying on the
existing onsite support infrastructure
and our 15-year relationship with
PerkinElmer, we knew we not only had
the solutions to set up our own PCR
assay, but also the engineers on speed
dial to troubleshoot as needed.” •
PerkinElmer is a Diamond Level sustaining
member of APHL.
22 LAB MATTERS Summer 2020
PublicHealthLabs
@APHL APHL.org