J Infect Dis
. 2021 Sep 1;224(5):831-838.
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiab023.
Feasibility and Performance of Self-Collected Nasal Swabs for Detection of Influenza Virus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and Human Metapneumovirus
Piyarat Suntarattiwong 1 , Joshua A Mott 2 3 , Sarita Mohanty 3 , Chalinthorn Sinthuwattanawibool 2 , Nattinee Srisantiroj 4 , Orada Patamasingh Na Ayudhaya 5 , Chonticha Klungthong 6 , Stefan Fernandez 6 , Lindsay Kim 7 , Danielle Hunt 8 , Danielle Hombroek 8 , Tana Brummer 8 , Tawee Chotpitayasunondh 1 , Fatimah S Dawood 3 , Wanitchaya Kittikraisak 2 , PRIME Study Group
Collaborators, Affiliations
- PMID: 34467984
- DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab023
Abstract
Background: We assessed performance of participant-collected midturbinate nasal swabs compared to study staff-collected midturbinate nasal swabs for the detection of respiratory viruses among pregnant women in Bangkok, Thailand.
Methods: We enrolled pregnant women aged ≥18 years and followed them throughout the 2018 influenza season. Women with acute respiratory illness self-collected midturbinate nasal swabs at home for influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV), and human metapneumoviruses (hMPV) real-time RT-PCR testing and the study nurse collected a second midturbinate nasal swab during home visits. Paired specimens were processed and tested on the same day.
Results: The majority (109, 60%) of 182 participants were 20-30 years old. All 200 paired swabs had optimal specimen quality. The median time from symptom onsets to participant-collected swabs was 2 days and to staff-collected swabs was also 2 days. The median time interval between the 2 swabs was 2 hours. Compared to staff-collected swabs, the participant-collected swabs were 93% sensitive and 99% specific for influenza virus detection, 94% sensitive and 99% specific for RSV detection, and 100% sensitive and 100% specific for hMPV detection.
Conclusions: Participant-collected midturbinate nasal swabs were a valid alternative approach for laboratory confirmation of influenza-, RSV-, and hMPV-associated illnesses among pregnant women in a community setting.
Keywords: RSV; Thailand; feasibility; hMPV; influenza; nasal swab; performance; pregnant woman; self-collection.