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Reliable detection of SARS-CoV-2 with patient-collected swabs and saline gargles: A three-headed comparison on multiple molecular platforms.
LeBlanc, Jason J; Pettipas, Janice; Di Quinzio, Melanie; Hatchette, Todd F; Patriquin, Glenn.
  • LeBlanc JJ; Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Departments of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Departments of Microb
  • Pettipas J; Provincial Public Health Laboratory Network of Nova Scotia (PPHLN), Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
  • Di Quinzio M; Departments of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
  • Hatchette TF; Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Departments of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Departments of Microb
  • Patriquin G; Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Electronic address: glenn.patriquin@nshealth.ca.
J Virol Methods ; 295: 114184, 2021 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1240482
ABSTRACT
With increasing demands for SARS-CoV-2 testing, as well as the shortages for testing supplies, collection devices, and trained healthcare workers (HCWs) to collect specimens, self-collection is an attractive prospect to reduce the need for HCWs and expenditure of personal protective equipment. Apart from the traditional nasopharyngeal swab used for SARS-CoV-2 detection, alternative specimens have been validated such as a combined swabs of the oropharynx and anterior nares (OP/N), or throat samples using saline gargles. Both the alternative specimen types are amenable to self-collection. Objectives. This study aimed to compare the sensitivity of HCW-collected (OP/N) swabs, self-collected OP/N swabs, and self-collected saline gargles. Among 38 individuals previously testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 (or their close contacts), two self-collected specimen types (OP/N and saline gargles) were compared to HCW-collected OP/N swabs. SARS-CoV-2 testing was performed on three molecular assays a laboratory-developed test (LDT), and two commercial assays on automated platforms Cobas 6800 (Roche Diagnostics) and Panther (Hologic). The sensitivity of self-collected OP/N swabs was equivalent to healthcare worker (HCW)-collected OP/N swabs at 100.0 % [92.6%-100.0%] for all three molecular tests. The sensitivity of saline gargles was not significantly different than HCW-collected OP/N swabs, but varied slightly between instruments at 93.8 % [85.9%-93.8%] for the LDT, 96.8 % [88.6%-96.8%] for the Cobas assay, and 96.7 % [89.2%-96.9%] for the Panther assay. Overall, self-collection using OP/N swabs or saline gargles are reasonable alternatives to HCW-based collections for SARS-CoV-2 detection, and could facilitate broader surveillance strategies.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Specimen Handling / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: J Virol Methods Year: 2021 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Specimen Handling / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: J Virol Methods Year: 2021 Document Type: Article