Pooling samples: a testing option for SARS-CoV-2 during a supply shortage

Hossein Salimnia; Robert Mitchell; Angela Gundel; Alicia Cambell; Fadi Gammou; Teena Chopra; Marilynn Fairfax

doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2020.115205

Pooling samples: a testing option for SARS-CoV-2 during a supply shortage

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2021 Jan;99(1):115205. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2020.115205. Epub 2020 Sep 11.

Authors

Hossein Salimnia¹, Robert Mitchell², Angela Gundel², Alicia Cambell², Fadi Gammou², Teena Chopra³, Marilynn Fairfax⁴

Affiliations

¹ Detroit Medical Center University Laboratories, 4201 St Antoine, Detroit, MI 48201; Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, East Canfield, Detroit, MI 48201.
² Detroit Medical Center University Laboratories, 4201 St Antoine, Detroit, MI 48201.
³ Detroit Medical Center University Laboratories, 4201 St Antoine, Detroit, MI 48201; Epidemiology and Infection Control, Detroit Medical Center, 4201 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48210.
⁴ Detroit Medical Center University Laboratories, 4201 St Antoine, Detroit, MI 48201; Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, East Canfield, Detroit, MI 48201. Electronic address: mfairfax@dmc.org.

Abstract

Pooling of 1 positive sample with up to 5 negative samples prior to testing with the Cepheid GenXpert SARS-CoV-2 assay did not adversely impact detection of positive samples. At our current prevalence of 2%, it could save up to 70% of the test kits.

Keywords: COVID-19; Molecular diagnosis; Reverse transcriptase PCR; SARS-CoV-2; Sample pooling.

MeSH terms

COVID-19 / diagnosis*
COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing / methods*
Humans
Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / economics
Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / supply & distribution
Reproducibility of Results
SARS-CoV-2 / genetics
SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification*
Sensitivity and Specificity
Specimen Handling / methods*

Substances

Reagent Kits, Diagnostic