Application of Gene Xpert for rapid detection of Covid 19 – Experience at a Tertiary Care Centre

ABSTRACT

Background:The recent emergence of SARS CoV2 pandemic has posed formidable challenges for the clinical laboratories seeking diagnostic confirmation. The clinical and epidemiologic management of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is critically dependent on molecular assays with short turn-around time. To face the current COVID 19 pandemic, the need for the automated rapid diagnostic tool is essential. Early diagnosis with XPERT Xpress SARS -CoV2 can aid in therapeutic man- agement and outbreak control Methods:A retrospective study was performed on a total of 373 samples (nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, nasal or mid turbinate swabs/aspirate) from clinically suspected cases of SARS CoV 2 infection from March 30, 2020, to November 15, 2020, in the department of microbiology of our institute. The specimens were collected, placed in VTM and run on the Gene Xpert Dx according to manufacturer’s protocol. Results: Out of 373 samples tested 46 (12.3%) were positive, 319 (85.5%) were negative, 1 (0.26%) was presumptive positive and 7 (1.8%) samples were excluded due to Xpert error. Travel history was present in 79.2% of positive cases and 73.2% of the positive cases had flu-like symptoms (fever, dry cough, headache, myalgias, arthralgias and sore throat). The total tested patients had various emergency conditions 109(29.2%) had RTA, 116(31.09%) had surgical emergencies, 64(17.1%) patients admitted with head injury and 84(22.5%) were delivery patients. Conclusions:Xpert Xpress SARS CoV2 is one step confirmatory test with a quick turnaround time and is ideal in cases of emergency conditions of patients. It can be utilized in multiple settings where actionable test results are needed to make informed treatment decisions quickly