Universal Polymerase Chain Reaction Screening for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Asymptomatic Patients Before Hospital Admission in Tokyo, Japan

ABSTRACT The Diamond Princess cruise ship, carrying 3711 passengers and crew members, docked at Yokohama Port in Japan on February 3, 2020. A quarantine was immediately instituted because 1 passenger who had disembarked in Hong Kong was confirmed to have tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). After the quarantine began, all passengers and crew were tested using the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) polymerase chain reaction assay on the ship, 696 of whom tested positive. In total, 769 patients, including 696 with COVID-19, required transport to a hospital. The Japan Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) successfully picked up and safely transported the COVID-19 patients using a novel classification system to prioritize patients. The Japan DMAT transported 203 patients to hospitals in Kanagawa and another 566 patients to hospitals in 15 different prefectures.

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The Limited Sensitivity of Chest Computed Tomography Relative to Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 Infection

Investigative Radiology ◽

10.1097/rli.0000000000000700 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 55 (12) ◽

pp. 754-761 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Joseph V. Waller ◽

Isabel E. Allen ◽

Keldon K. Lin ◽

Michael J. Diaz ◽

Travis S. Henry ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Reverse Transcription ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Chest Computed Tomography ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Limited Sensitivity

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What Is the Predictive Value of a Single Nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 PCR Swab Test in a Patient With COVID-Like Symptoms and/or Significant COVID-19 Exposure?

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa399 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (10) ◽

Author(s):

Blessen George ◽

James McGee ◽

Eileen Giangrasso ◽

Sheila Finkelstein ◽

Susan Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Hospital Workers ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Pcr Screening ◽

Test Characteristics ◽

Antibody Titers ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Pcr Test

Abstract Utilizing results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and subsequent antibody titers, we report on the test characteristics of a PCR screening test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 among hospital workers. The PCR test was found to be 87% sensitive and 97% specific, with a positive predictive value of 0.98 and a negative predictive value of 0.80.

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What Is the Role of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing in Discontinuation of Transmission-based Precautions for Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients?

Clinical Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/cid/ciaa671 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 71 (16) ◽

pp. 2304-2305

Author(s):

Bahaa Abu Raya ◽

David M Goldfarb ◽

Manish Sadarangani

Keyword(s):

Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing ◽

Polymerase Chain

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Multiplex Real-Time Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Assays for Diagnostic Testing of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 and Seasonal Influenza Viruses: A Challenge of the Phase 3 Pandemic Setting

The Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/infdis/jiaa658 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Fabiola Mancini ◽

Fabrizio Barbanti ◽

Maria Scaturro ◽

Stefano Fontana ◽

Angela Di Martino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Real Time ◽

Reverse Transcription ◽

Seasonal Influenza ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Activity Period ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Polymerase Chain

Abstract Background Pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease represents a challenge for healthcare structures. The molecular confirmation of samples from infected individuals is crucial and therefore guides public health decision making. Clusters and possibly increased diffuse transmission could occur in the context of the next influenza season. For this reason, a diagnostic test able to discriminate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from influenza viruses is urgently needed. Methods A multiplex real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was assessed using 1 laboratory protocol with different real-time PCR instruments. Overall, 1000 clinical samples (600 from samples SARS-CoV-2–infected patients, 200 samples from influenza-infected patients, and 200 negative samples) were analyzed. Results The assay developed was able to detect and discriminate each virus target and to intercept coinfections. The limit of quantification of each assay ranged between 5 and 10 genomic copy numbers, with a cutoff value of 37.7 and 37.8 for influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses, respectively. Only 2 influenza coinfections were detected in COVID-19 samples. Conclusions This study suggests that multiplex assay is a rapid, valid, and accurate method for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses in clinical samples. The test may be an important diagnostic tool for both diagnostic and surveillance purposes during the seasonal influenza activity period.

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Presymptomatic Transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Among Residents and Staff at a Skilled Nursing Facility: Results of Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction and Serologic Testing

Clinical Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/cid/ciaa991 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Scott A Goldberg ◽

Jochen Lennerz ◽

Michael Klompas ◽

Eden Mark ◽

Virginia M Pierce ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Real Time ◽

Skilled Nursing Facility ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Nursing Facility ◽

Skilled Nursing ◽

Routine Testing ◽

Serologic Testing ◽

Polymerase Chain

Abstract High rates of asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 infection suggest benefits to routine testing in congregate care settings. Screening was undertaken in a single nursing facility without a known case of coronavirus disease 2019, demonstrating an 85% prevalence among residents and 37% among staff. Serology was not helpful in identifying infections.

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