tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Am J Clin Pathol
. 2021 May 12;aqab035.
doi: 10.1093/ajcp/aqab035. Online ahead of print.
Implementation of a Sample Pooling Strategy for the Direct Detection of SARS-CoV-2 by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Clarence W Chan[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Seunghyug Kwon[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Scott M Matushek[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Carol Ciaglia[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Cindy Bethel[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Kathleen G Beavis[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Objectives: To report our institutional experience in devising and implementing a pooling protocol and process for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing over a 3-month period in the fall of 2020.
Methods: The widespread testing implemented in the United States for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has led to a significant shortage of testing supplies and therefore has become a major impediment to the public health response. To date, several institutions have implemented sample pooling, but publications documenting these experiences are sparse. Nasal and nasopharyngeal samples collected from low-positivity (<5%) areas were tested in pools of five on the Roche cobas 6800 analyzer system. Routine SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR turnaround times between sample collection to result reporting were monitored and compared before and after sample pooling implementation.
Results: A total of 4,131 sample pools were tested over a 3-month period (during which 39,770 RT-PCR results were reported from the Roche system), allowing our laboratory to save 13,824 tests, equivalent to a conservation rate of 35%. A 48-hour or less turnaround time was generally maintained throughout the pooling period.
Conclusions: Sample pooling offers a viable means to mitigate shortfalls of PCR testing supplies in the ongoing pandemic without significantly compromising overall turnaround times.
Keywords: COVID-19; PCR; Pooled testing; Pooling; RT-PCR; SARS-CoV-2; Test reagents.
. 2021 May 12;aqab035.
doi: 10.1093/ajcp/aqab035. Online ahead of print.
Implementation of a Sample Pooling Strategy for the Direct Detection of SARS-CoV-2 by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Clarence W Chan[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Seunghyug Kwon[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Scott M Matushek[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Carol Ciaglia[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Cindy Bethel[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Kathleen G Beavis[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 33978164
- DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqab035
Abstract
Objectives: To report our institutional experience in devising and implementing a pooling protocol and process for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing over a 3-month period in the fall of 2020.
Methods: The widespread testing implemented in the United States for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has led to a significant shortage of testing supplies and therefore has become a major impediment to the public health response. To date, several institutions have implemented sample pooling, but publications documenting these experiences are sparse. Nasal and nasopharyngeal samples collected from low-positivity (<5%) areas were tested in pools of five on the Roche cobas 6800 analyzer system. Routine SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR turnaround times between sample collection to result reporting were monitored and compared before and after sample pooling implementation.
Results: A total of 4,131 sample pools were tested over a 3-month period (during which 39,770 RT-PCR results were reported from the Roche system), allowing our laboratory to save 13,824 tests, equivalent to a conservation rate of 35%. A 48-hour or less turnaround time was generally maintained throughout the pooling period.
Conclusions: Sample pooling offers a viable means to mitigate shortfalls of PCR testing supplies in the ongoing pandemic without significantly compromising overall turnaround times.
Keywords: COVID-19; PCR; Pooled testing; Pooling; RT-PCR; SARS-CoV-2; Test reagents.