ABSTRACT
CDC and WHO guidelines for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) diagnosis only recommend synthetic fiber swabs for nasopharyngeal (NP) sampling. We show that cotton-tipped plastic swabs do not inhibit PCR and have equivalent performance to rayon swabs. Cotton-tipped plastic swabs are massively produced worldwide and would prevent swab supply shortages under the current high SARS-CoV-2 testing demands, particularly in developing countries.
Subject(s)
Betacoronavirus/isolation & purification , Clinical Laboratory Techniques/instrumentation , Coronavirus Infections/diagnosis , Diagnostic Equipment/supply & distribution , Disposable Equipment/supply & distribution , Pneumonia, Viral/diagnosis , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/instrumentation , Betacoronavirus/genetics , COVID-19 , COVID-19 Testing , Cellulose/supply & distribution , Clinical Laboratory Techniques/methods , Coronavirus Infections/virology , Cotton Fiber/supply & distribution , Humans , Nasopharynx , Pandemics , Plastics/supply & distribution , Pneumonia, Viral/virology , RNA, Viral/analysis , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , SARS-CoV-2 , Specimen Handling/instrumentation , Specimen Handling/methodsABSTRACT
The recent SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has placed immense pressure on supply chains, including shortages in nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs. Here, we report our experience of using 3D-printing to rapidly develop and deploy custom-made NP swabs to address supply shortages at our healthcare institution.