TABLE 2.

Comparison of the key features of the RT-PCR kits evaluated

Kit name	RIDA	Viasure	Vircell	LightMix	1 copy	Logix Smart
No. of reactions per sample	1	1	2	3	1	1
Gene SARS-CoV-2 target	E	N, Orf1ab	N, E	N, E, and RdRP	E, RdRP	RdRP
Type of control(s)a	Exo	Exo	Exo, endo	Exo	Endo	Endo
PCR time (min)	78	104	86	80	80	86
Cutoff (CT)b	<45	<40	<40	<39	<40	<45
RNA sample vol (μL)	5	10	10	30	5	5
Ready to use (no mix preparation needed)?	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No
Preservation (°C)	−20	RTc	−20, −70	−20	−20	−20
No. of pipette tips spent per reaction	2	2	10	21	10	2
Background noise	None	Medium	None	High	Medium	Low

^aEndo, endogenous control, such as the cellular RNase P gene. Exo, exogenous control, such as the addition of artificial RNA.

^bC_T, cycle threshold value.

^cRT, room temperature.