Pooled testing conserves SARS-CoV-2 laboratory resources and improves test turn-around time: experience on the Kenyan Coast
| Autor: | Janet Thoya, Horace Gumba, Wilfred Nyamu, Wilson Gumbi, Metrine Tendwa, Shaban J. Mwangi, Salim Mwarumba, Debra Riako, Philip Bejon, Robinson Cheruiyot, John N. Gitonga, Elijah Gicheru, Donwilliams O. Omuoyo, John M. Morobe, Arnold W. Lambisia, Clement Lewa, David Amadi, Victor Osoti, Patience K. Kiyuka, Angela Karani, Martin Mutunga, Lynette Isabella Ochola-Oyier, Zaydah R. de Laurent, Shadrack Mutua, Brian Bartilol, Brian Tawa, Calleb Odundo, Susan Njuguna, Daisy Mugo, Edward Otieno, Benjamin Tsofa, Khadija Said Mohammed, Yiakon Sein, Lydia Nyamako, Jennifer N. Musyoki, Bonface M. Gichuki, Charles N. Agoti, Jedidah Mwacharo, Domtila Kimani, Wesley Cheruiyot, Johnstone Makale |
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| Rok vydání: | 2020 |
| Předmět: |
Test strategy
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) viruses Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Medicine (miscellaneous) Test sensitivity Kilifi Turnaround time General Biochemistry Genetics and Molecular Biology Pooled testing 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Environmental health Pandemic Medicine 030212 general & internal medicine SARS-CoV-2 business.industry COVID-19 virus diseases Articles biochemical phenomena metabolism and nutrition Kenya digestive system diseases Test (assessment) Laboratory test 030220 oncology & carcinogenesis business Research Article |
| Zdroj: | Wellcome Open Research |
| ISSN: | 2398-502X |
| Popis: | Background. International recommendations for the control of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic emphasize the central role of laboratory testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent, at scale. The availability of testing reagents, laboratory equipment and qualified staff are important bottlenecks to achieving this. Elsewhere, pooled testing (i.e. combining multiple samples in the same reaction) has been suggested to increase testing capacities in the pandemic period. Methods. We discuss our experience with SARS-CoV-2 pooled testing using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on the Kenyan Coast. Results. In mid-May, 2020, our RT-PCR testing capacity for SARS-CoV-2 was improved by ~100% as a result of adoption of a six-sample pooled testing strategy. This was accompanied with a concomitant saving of ~50% of SARS-CoV-2 laboratory test kits at both the RNA extraction and RT-PCR stages. However, pooled testing came with a slight decline of test sensitivity. The RT-PCR cycle threshold value (ΔCt) was ~1.59 higher for samples tested in pools compared to samples tested singly. Conclusions. Pooled testing is a useful strategy to increase SARS-CoV-2 laboratory testing capacity especially in low-income settings. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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