Objective: Reliability of test results is critical in the Real-time PCR test used in the diagnosis of COVID-19. In our study, we aimed to investigate the compatibility of the three most commonly used commercial diagnostic kits in Turkiye in determining the SARS-CoV-2 genome in different Real-time PCR systems and to provide a perspective to laboratory experts in this regard.

Methods: In this study, oro/nasopharyngeal swab samples of 46 COVID-19 patients were used. The samples were analyzed on Rotor-Gene, Bio-Rad and Abbott Real-time PCR devices using Diagnovital, Bio-Speedy and Coronex diagnostic kits to detect SARS-CoV-2 genome. The Ct values were recorded. The kits used were all validated with the devices except with Abbott, only.

Results: The highest and the lowest Ct values were observed in the Abbott–Diagnovital and the Rotor-Gene– Bio-Speedy pairs, respectively. The same result was found in samples with low viral load in the study. When all assessments were evaluated, it was observed that Diagnovital kit gave the highest Ct values among the kits.

Conclusion: For SARS-CoV-2 detection, the pairs of the Rotor-Gene and Bio-Speedy, and the Bio-Rad–Bio-Speedy were found to be more compatible than the other device-kit pairs. False negative results or high Ct values may lead to early discharge of patients or quarantine failures, which may increase the infection. Thus, as the different performances of Diagnovital kit on the three Real-time PCR instruments indicates, when a PCR kit is planned for routine diagnostic use, it is crucial to assess its compatibility with the instrument in the laboratory.