| Summary: | Background: Up to 40% of test results for COVID-19 in the presence of clinical manifestations of the disease might be negative. The reason for a false-negative result might originate from any step of the analysis: poor-quality or empty swab, poor RNA isolation, inactivation of reverse transcriptase or Taq polymerase in the test. Methods: Here we describe a PCR approach for SARS-CoV-2 detection with swab quality and integrity controlled by human <i>ABL1</i> mRNA amplification. Designed primers work with the cDNA of the <i>ABL1</i> gene, not genomic DNA. Results: The simultaneous appearance of three signals corresponding to the nucleocapsid, spike, and <i>ABL1</i> gene indicates infection with the Omicron strain. The amplification of <i>ABL1</i> gene and nucleocapsid only indicate other than Omicron infection. The appearance of ABL1 amplification only indicates a true negative result for SARS-CoV-2. All other variants are null and void. Conclusions: A system has been developed for multiplex PCR diagnostics of SARS-CoV-2, which makes it possible to eliminate errors leading to false-negative and false-positive results at all stages of analysis. This is accomplished by the presence of specific primers for human RNA, controlling proper swab application, handling, and all the stages of RT-PCR.
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