Simultaneous Detection of Seven Human Coronaviruses by Multiplex PCR and MALDI-TOF MS

Human coronaviruses (HCoVs) are associated with a range of respiratory symptoms. The discovery severe acute syndrome (SARS)-CoV, Middle East syndrome, and SARS-CoV-2 pose significant threat to human health. In this study, we developed method (HCoV-MS) that combines multiplex PCR matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), detect differentiate seven HCoVs simultaneously. HCoV-MS had high specificity sensitivity, 1–5 copies/reaction detection limit. To validate the method, tested 163 clinical samples, results showed good concordance real-time PCR. Additionally, sensitivity was comparable. is sensitive assay, requiring only 1 μL sample. Moreover, it high-throughput allowing 384 samples be processed simultaneously in 30 min. We propose used complement for large-scale screening studies.