Comparative evaluation of cost effective extraction free molecular technique for detection of SARS-CoV-2 with reference to standard VTM based RT-qPCR method
Iranian Journal of Microbiology
; 13(6):748-756, 2021.
Article
in English
| Web of Science | ID: covidwho-1576635
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives:
The entire globe is undergoing an unprecedented challenge of COVID-19. Considering the need of rapid and accurate diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2, this study was planned to evaluate the cost effective extraction free RT-PCR technique in comparison to the standard VTM based RT-qPCR method. Materials andMethods:
Paired swabs from nasopharynx and oropharynx were collected for SARS-CoV-2 testing, from 211 adult patients (>= 18 years) in VTM and plain sterile tubes (dry swabs). These samples were processed and RT-qPCR was carried out as per standard protocols.Results:
54.5% of the patients were females and 45.5% were males with sex ratio 11.19 (M F). 38.86% were symptomatic, of which fever (86.59%), cough (79.23%) and breathlessness (46.34%) were the most common symptoms. The positivity by VTM based method and index method was 31.27% and 13.27% respectively. Of the 27 inconclusive results from index method, 37.04% were positive, 48.15% were negative by VTM based method. However, in 40 inconclusive results by VTM based method, 90% were negative and rest remained inconclusive by index method. The sensitivity and specificity of the index method were 39.39% and 85.71% respectively. The overall agreement between VTM based method and index method was 49.59% with estimated Kappa value of 0.19.Conclusion:
VTM based method showed higher sensitivity compared to the index method. The higher positivity by VTM based method, suggests that VTM based method could plausibly be a better detection method of SARS-CoV-2. Still, the index method might add value in a resource limited setups for detection of SARS-CoV-2.
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Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
Web of Science
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
Language:
English
Journal:
Iranian Journal of Microbiology
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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