Stability of MERS-CoV RNA on spin columns of RNA extraction kit at room temperature

Abdallah, Nermeen M.A.; Zaki, Ali M.; Abdel-Salam, Shimaa A.

Abstract Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), is an emerging virus causing a highly fatal respiratory disease in humans. Confirmation of MERS-CoV infection and molecular study on the virus may require transportation of samples to specialized laboratories. While freezing at -80°C is the gold standard method for RNA preservation, maintaining the integrity of viral RNA during transport will require additional precautions and, as a result, increase transport costs. We aimed at testing the stability of MERS-CoV RNA on spin columns of RNA extraction kit at room temperature for 16 weeks. Respiratory samples spiked with stock culture of MERS-CoV were extracted and loaded on QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit spin columns and preserved at room temperature. Amount of Viral RNA was evaluated periodically by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Minimal changes in cycle threshold values over the study period was noted, suggesting stability of viral RNA by this preservation method.