Effectiveness Of Pcr Pool Testing For Screening Of Covid-19 Infection In Pakistan.
J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad
; 34(4): 817-822, 2022.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2273733
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
We tested the utility of mini-pool PCR testing for the rational use of PCR consumables in screening for CoViD-19.METHODS:
After pilot experiments, 3-samples pool size was selected. One step RT-PCR was performed. The samples in the mini-pool having COVID gene amplification were tested individually.RESULTS:
1548 samples tested in 516 mini-pools resulted 396 mini-pools as negative and 120 as positive. Upon individual testing, 110 samples tested positive and 9 were inconclusive. 876 PCR reactions were performed to test 1548 samples, saving 43% PCR reagents. Centres with low prevalence resulted in most saving on reagents (50%), while centres with high prevalence resulted in more test reactions. Testing of individual samples resulted in delays in reporting.CONCLUSIONS:
Pooling can increase lab capacity, however, pooling delays results and cause degradation of samples.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad
Journal subject:
Medicine
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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