Comparison of viral nucleic acid test results of pharyngeal swabs versus induced sputum specimens in 33 patients with COVID-19 after treatment

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the possibility of screening COVID-19 patients with sputum viral nucleic acid results by comparing the nucleic acid test results between pharyngeal swab and induced sputum after treatment. Methods: The viral nucleic acid results of 33 COVID-19 patients though pharyngeal swab and sputum specimen were collected and compared. Results: The nucleic acid postive rate of sputum was significantly higher than that of pharyngeal swab, 33.3% patients whose results were negative in pharyngeal swabs for viral nucleic acid detection, were tested positive in sputum specimens. Conclusion: Although the results of pharyngeal swabs nucleic acid test are adopted as the current diagnosis and discharge standards for COVID-19, viral nucleic acid detection of induced sputum specimens is also recommended as a reference for final diagnosis and disisolation. © 2021, Editorial Board of Medical Journal of Wuhan University. All right reserved.