External peer review of the RTPCR test to detect SARS-CoV-2
reveals 10 major scientific flaws at the molecular and
methodological level: consequences for false positive results.
Full download of the file
Review_Report_by_ICSLS_-_Corman-Drosten_et_al.pdf
Abstract:
"In the publication entitled “Detection of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) by real-time RT-PCR”
(Eurosurveillance 25(8) 2020) the authors present a diagnostic workflow and RT-qPCR protocol for
detection and diagnostics of 2019-nCoV (now known as SARS-CoV-2), which they claim to be
validated, as well as being a robust diagnostic methodology for use in public-health laboratory
settings.
In light of all the consequences resulting from this very publication for societies worldwide, a group
of independent researchers performed a point-by-point review of the aforesaid publication in which
1) all components of the presented test design were cross checked, 2) the RT-qPCR
protocol-recommendations were assessed with respect to good laboratory practice, and 3)
parameters examined against relevant scientific literature covering the field.
The published RT-qPCR protocol for detection and diagnostics of 2019-nCoV and the manuscript
suffer from numerous technical and scientific errors, including insufficient primer design, a
problematic and insufficient RT-qPCR protocol, and the absence of an accurate test validation.
Neither the presented test nor the manuscript itself fulfils the requirements for an acceptable
scientific publication. Further, serious conflicts of interest of the authors are not mentioned. Finally,
the very short timescale between submission and acceptance of the publication (24 hours) signifies
that a systematic peer review process was either not performed here, or of problematic poor quality.
We provide compelling evidence of several scientific inadequacies, errors and flaws. Considering the
scientific and methodological blemishes presented here, we are confident that the editorial board of
Eurosurveillance has no other choice but to retract the publication."
Detection of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) by real-time RT-PCR
Full download of the file
Corman_Drosten_artikel_original_eurosurv-25-3-5.pdf
Retraction_Letter by ICSLS Detection of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) by real-time RT-PCR
Full download of the file
Retraction_Letter_by_ICSLS_-_Corman-Drosten_et_al.pdf
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