A rapid diagnostic procedure incorporating CRISPR technology has been developed by collaborating scientists affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), The Broad Institute of MIT, the University of Washington and the Brigham and Woman’s Hospital in Boston.  The procedure has a sensitivity of 93.1 percent and a specificity of 98.5 percent. On 402 samples assayed, the positive predictive value was 98.4 percent with a negative predictive value of 93.4 percent. 

 The assay involves rapid extraction of RNA from patient swabs contaminated with COVID SARS-CoV-2. This is achieved using a magnetic bead purification method incorporating a lysis stage, requiring approximately 15 minutes.  The extraction is followed by RT-qPCR with interpretation of results on a detection strip using a fluorescence reader. The entire procedure can be completed within an hour.  The Sherlock method, as refined is suitable for diagnosis of COVID-19 in an institutional setting with minimal equipment required.

Joung, J et al Detection of SARS-CoV-2 With Sherlock 1-Part Testing New England Journal of Medicine September 16, 2020 DOI:10.1056/NEJMc2026172.