Development of a Collection Kit for Efficient Isolation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from Urine and Stool Samples

Background Information: Consider adding a brief sentence about the significance of detecting SARS-CoV-2 in urine and stool samples. For example, mention how these samples can serve as alternative sources for diagnosis, potentially leading to better patient outcomes. Objective Statement: This study aimed to develop a collection kit for the effective extraction of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from urine and stool samples. The study presents a significant advancement in the field of viral diagnostics by introducing a novel collection kit specifically designed for the extraction of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from urine and stool samples. The demonstrated efficacy of the kit in isolating the virus with high success rates from alternative biological fluids, as well as the superior RNA. Methodology: The kit contains a swab of medical polyester and three tubes, two of them used to inactivate the virus, one contains 3% phenol and the other 1% phenol, and the third tube contains 2 ml of (PBS) Phosphate Buffer Saline added to it 4% of skim milk. Urine or stool samples from Covid-19 patients who reported positive by nasopharyngeal swab during RT-PCR was adde consequently in these three tubes then assessed through RT-PCR testing. Results: The kit succeeded in isolating coronavirus from the urine and stool of patients who reported positive by nasopharyngeal samples. From 20 positive nasopharyngeal samples, there was 18 (90%) of them were positive by using stool sample using this kit, and 15 (75%) of them were give positive result when urine samples were used by this kit. The concentration of RNA of coronavirus which was isolated from urine and feces was higher than in the nasopharyngeal swab during RT-PCR. Mean Ct value of the 20 samples was showed that the mean Ct of nasopharyngeal was 31.5, while urine and stool samples Ct means less concentration of virus. were 25.75 and 24.32 respectively. High The kit was able to serve RNA that was isolated from urine and feces for about 5,10, and 30 days in a percentage of 100%, 94.1%, and 94.1% respectively. Conclusion and Implications: The kit is produce to confirm that the patient is infected with by COVID-19 and to preserve the virus in stool or urine samples of the infected person for a long period until laboratory tests through RT-PCR are conducted on the samples. The kit showed great ability to test SARS-CoV-2, even if it was at low concentrations of virus compared to the examination of nasopharyngeal swabs.