scholarly journals Bacterial and Fungal Co-Infections among ICU COVID-19 Hospitalized Patients in a Palestinian Hospital: Incidence and Antimicrobial Stewardship

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hani A. Naseef ◽  
Ula Mohammad ◽  
Nimeh Al-Shami ◽  
Yousef Sahoury ◽  
Abdallah D. Abukhalil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Enterobacter Species ◽  
Medical Reports ◽  
Patient’S Information ◽  
Multiple Pathogens

AbstractDiagnosis of co-infections with multiple pathogens among hospitalized COVID-19 patients can be jointly challenging and very essential for appropriate treatment, shortening hospital stay and preventing antimicrobial resistance. This study proposes to investigate the burden of bacterial and fungal co-infections outcomes on COVID-19 patients. It is a single centre cross-sectional study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients at Beit-Jala hospital in Palestine. The study included 321 hospitalized patients admitted to the ICU between June 2020 and March 2021 aged ≥ 20 years, with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 via RT-PCR conducted on a nasopharyngeal swab. The patient’s information was gathered using graded data forms from electronic medical reports. The diagnosis of bacterial and fungal infection was proved through the patient’s clinical presentation and positive blood or sputum culture results. All cases had received empirical antimicrobial therapy before the ICU admission, and different regimens during the ICU stay. The rate of bacterial co-infection was 51.1%, mainly from gram-negative isolates (Enterobacter species and K.pneumoniae). The rate of fungal co-infection caused by A.fumigatus was 48.9%, and the mortality rate was 8.1%. However, it is unclear if it had been attributed to SARS-CoV-2 or coincidental.

scholarly journals Bacterial and fungal co-infections among ICU COVID-19 hospitalized patients in a Palestinian hospital: a retrospective cross-sectional study

F1000Research ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Hani A. Naseef ◽  
Ula Mohammad ◽  
Nimeh Al-Shami ◽  
Yousef Sahoury ◽  
Abdallah D. Abukhalil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Infection ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Antibiotic Administration ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Medical Reports ◽  
Hospital Stays

Background: Diagnosis of co-infections with multiple pathogens among hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients can be jointly challenging and essential for appropriate treatment, shortening hospital stays and preventing antimicrobial resistance. This study proposes to investigate the burden of bacterial and fungal co-infections outcomes on COVID-19 patients. It is a single center cross-sectional study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients at Beit-Jala hospital in Palestine. Methods: The study included 321 hospitalized patients admitted to the ICU between June 2020 and March 2021 aged ≥20 years, with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 via reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay conducted on a nasopharyngeal swab. The patient's information was gathered using graded data forms from electronic medical reports. Results: The diagnosis of bacterial and fungal infection was proved through the patient’s clinical presentation and positive blood or sputum culture results. All cases had received empirical antimicrobial therapy before the intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and different regimens during the ICU stay. The rate of bacterial co-infection was 51.1%, mainly from gram-negative isolates (Enterobacter species and K.pneumoniae). The rate of fungal co-infection caused by A.fumigatus was 48.9%, and the mortality rate was 8.1%. However, it is unclear if it had been attributed to SARS-CoV-2 or coincidental. Conclusions: Bacterial and fungal co-infection is common among COVID-19 patients at the ICU in Palestine, but it is not obvious if these cases are attributed to SARS-CoV-2 or coincidental, because little data is available to compare it with the rates of secondary infection in local ICU departments before the pandemic. Comprehensively, those conclusions present data supporting a conservative antibiotic administration for severely unwell COVID-19 infected patients. Our examination regarding the impacts of employing antifungals to manage COVID-19 patients can work as a successful reference for future COVID-19 therapy.

scholarly journals Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 antigen-based rapid diagnostic kits in Pakistan: formulation of COVID-19 national testing strategy

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Umar Saeed ◽  
Sara Rizwan Uppal ◽  
Zahra Zahid Piracha ◽  
Azhar Rasheed ◽  
Zubair Aftab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gold Standard ◽  
Injection Drug Users ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Negative Results

AbstractRapid diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 during pandemic enables timely treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Evaluating the accuracy and reliability of rapid diagnostic testing kits is crucial for surveillance and diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infections in general population, injection drug users, multi-transfused populations, healthcare workers, prisoners, barbers and other high risk populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate performance and effectiveness of nasopharyngeal swab (NSP) and saliva based rapid antigen detection testing kits in comparison with USFDA approved triple target gold standard real-time polymerase chain reaction. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 33,000 COVID-19 suspected patients. From RT-PCR positive patients, nasopharyngeal swab (NSP) and saliva samples were obtained for evaluation of rapid COVID-19 testing kits (RDT). 100/33,000 (0.3%) of specimens were RT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2. Among RT-PCR positive, 62% were males, 34% were females, and 4% were children. The NSP-RDT (Lepu Medical China) analysis revealed 53% reactivity among males, 58% reactivity among females, and 25% reactivity among children. However saliva based RDT (Lepu Medical China) analysis showed 21% reactivity among males and 23% among females, and no reactivity in children. False negative results were significantly more pronounced in saliva based RDT as compared to NSP-RDT. The sensitivity of these NSP-RDT and saliva based RDT were 52% and 21% respectively. The RDTs evaluated in this study showed limited sensitivities in comparison to gold standard RT-PCR, indicating that there is a dire need in Pakistan for development of suitable testing to improve accurate COVID-19 diagnosis in line with national demands.

scholarly journals Effectivity Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Nasopharyngeal Swab Rapid Testing Kits in Pakistan: A Scenario of Inadequate COVID-19 Diagnosis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umar Saeed ◽  
Sara Rizwan Uppal ◽  
Zahra Zahid Piracha ◽  
Aftab Ahmad Khan ◽  
Azhar Rasheed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gold Standard ◽  
Rapid Detection ◽  
International Health ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
International Health Organizations ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Abstract COVID-19 pandemic has urged the need of rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 in limited time frame. To cope with current, COVID-19 expanding scenario, accurate diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 should be ensured by both national and international health organizations. Sporadic marketing of SARS-CoV-2 rapid detection kits raises questions regarding quality control and assurance. To aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab based rapid detection kits, in comparison to gold standard USFDA approved triple target real-time polymerase chain reaction. A cross-sectional study of 1500 suspected COVID-19 patients was conducted. 100 RT-PCR confirmed patients nasopharyngeal swabs were evaluated for RDT. The COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 NSP based RDT analysis showed 78% reactivity. Among RT-PCR confirmed negative subjects, 49.3% showed false positivity. The positive predictive analysis revealed 67.82% values, while the negative predictive vales of were 64.40%. The NSP RDTs showed limited sensitivities and specificities compared to gold standard RT-PCR. Accurate surveillance of COVID-19 is dependent upon authentic and validated SARS-CoV-2 detection nation-wide, which needs to be monitored by higher authorities. This study is critical for designing adequate measures by several COVID-19 strategic organizations to prevent future viral epidemics.

scholarly journals Is the COVID-19 disease associated with de novo nephritic syndrome?

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (9) ◽  
pp. 1258-1263
Author(s):  
Hamad Dheir ◽  
Savas Sipahi ◽  
Selcuk Yaylaci ◽  
Ahmed Cihad Genc ◽  
Fevziye Turkoglu Genc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Spontaneous Remission ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Dipstick Test ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nephritic Syndrome ◽  
The Mean

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION: This study aims to determine the incidence of de novo nephritic syndrome (NS) in COVID-19 patients and identify its associated factors. METHODS: All ward patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were investigated. After determining the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the study population was identified. The urine dipstick test and urine protein creatinine ratio (UPCR) measurements were performed. Patients with de novo NS findings, nasopharyngeal swab, and urine RT-PCR tests were performed simultaneously RESULTS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 21 patients with COVID-19. The mean age of the patients was 42.2±8.8 years, and 71.4% of them were male. The mean duration of follow-up was 28.4±9.3 days. The urine RT-PCR test was positive in one patient (4.8%). Improvements were observed in hematuria by 71.4%, and proteinuria by 85.7% at the end of the follow-up. A significant decrease in the measured UPCR was found in comparison to the baseline(P=0.000). Also, improvements were recorded in the complete blood counts, inflammatory parameters, ferritin, and coagulation tests, compared to the baseline. There was a positive correlation between baseline UPCR and ferritin, and a negative correlation between baseline UPCR and sodium values CONCLUSION: COVID-19-induced de novo nephritic syndrome may occur mainly due to tubulointerstitial involvement and often results in spontaneous remission. However, why these findings were not present in all patients who had no comorbidities is not clear.

scholarly journals Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 antigen-based rapid diagnostic kits in Pakistan: formulation of COVID-19 national testing strategy.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umar Saeed ◽  
Sara Rizwan Uppal ◽  
Zahra Zahid Piracha ◽  
Azhar Rasheed ◽  
Zubair Aftab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gold Standard ◽  
Injection Drug Users ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Negative Results

Abstract Rapid diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 during pandemic enables timely treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Evaluating the accuracy and reliability of rapid diagnostic testing kits is crucial for surveillance and diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infections in general population, injection drug users, multi-transfused populations, healthcare workers, prisoners, barbers and other high risk populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate performance and effectiveness of nasopharyngeal swab (NSP) and saliva based rapid antigen detection testing kits in comparison with USFDA approved triple target gold standard real-time polymerase chain reaction. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 33,000 COVID-19 suspected patients. From RT-PCR positive patients, nasopharyngeal swab (NSP) and saliva samples were obtained for evaluation of rapid COVID-19 testing kits (RDT). 100/33000 (0.3%) of specimens were RT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2. Among RT-PCR positive, 62% were males, 34% were females, and 4% were children. The NSP-RDT (Lepu Medical China) analysis revealed 53% reactivity among males, 58% reactivity among females, and 25% reactivity among children. However saliva based RDT (Lepu Medical China) analysis showed 21% reactivity among males and 23% among females, and no reactivity in children. False negative results were significantly more pronounced in saliva based RDT as compared to NSP-RDT. The sensitivity of these NSP-RDT and saliva based RDT were 52% and 21% respectively. The RDTs evaluated in this study showed limited sensitivities in comparison to gold standard RT-PCR, indicating that there is a dire need in Pakistan for development of suitable testing to improve accurate COVID-19 diagnosis in line with national demands.

scholarly journals Comparing between survived and deceased patients with Diabetes Mellitus and COVID-19 in Bangladesh: A cross sectional study from a COVID-19 dedicated hospital

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Shahed Morshed ◽  
Abdullah Al Mosabbir ◽  
Mohammad Sorowar Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
Hospital Death ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Patients With Diabetes

AbstractThe current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was reported to cause significantly higher mortality and morbidity among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Although Bangladesh is amongst the top 10 countries with diabetic people, data on these patients with COVID-19 is scarce from this region. This study aimed to illustrate the clinical features and outcomes of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and DM in Bangladesh while comparing survivors and deceased.This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients with pre-existing Diabetes Mellitus in a specialized COVID-19 hospital in Bangladesh. Data from hospital records were analyzed.Among 921 RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 admitted during the study period, 231 (∼25%) patients with pre-existing DM (median age 60 years) were included in the analysis. The death rate among all hospitalized patients (with and without DM) was 2.8% compared to 11.3% among diabetic patients. The median hospital stay was 13 days (IQR 10.5, 17.0) for survivors and five days (IQR 2.0-8.3) for the deceased. The clinical features were not significantly different between survivors and the deceased. However, deceased patients had significantly lower blood oxygen level (85% vs 93%, p <0.001), and higher neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (7.9 vs 4.5, p 0.003) and serum ferritin (946.0 vs 425.0 ng/ml, p 0.03). Glycemic status was poor in both groups.This study would help identify a subgroup of diabetic patients with COVID-19 who are at higher risk of in-hospital death and improve clinical decision making.

scholarly journals Frequency of Positive PCR test and Complications in Nasopharyngeal Swabs of Suspected Patients and Contacts of COVID-19 Tested at Allied Hospital Faisalabad

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-27
Author(s):  
Saeed Saeed ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Frequent Complication ◽  
Corona Virus ◽  
Lab Test

Background: COVID-19 is a severe respiratory disease, started in China. For diagnosis, we need swabs from different regions of respiratory tract. Nasopharyngeal swab is the preferred method. Rt-PCR for Corona virus is the gold standard lab test for diagnosis. Objective: To determine frequency of positive PCR tests and complications in total number of nasopharyngeal samples taken at ENT department of Allied Hospital, Faisalabad Pakistan. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Settings: ENT department, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad Pakistan. Duration: 1st May 2020 to 31st August 2020. Methodology: Nasopharyngeal swabs of suspected cases, their contacts, and healthcare workers were taken at ENT department of Allied Hospital. All samples were sent to BSL-LAB. The complication related to procedure were also noted. The result was labelled as detected and non-detected. Results: Total sample taken were 2909 out of which 627 (22%) cases were positive for Corona virus while 2282 (78%) were negative. Pain was most frequent complication (68%) followed by blood staining of swab (31%) and epistaxis (1%). Conclusion: Frequency of positive corona virus case presenting to allied Hospital is 22%. Nasopharyngeal swabs are a safe and effective method of sampling in suspected Corona Virus cases. Pain during the procedure is the most frequent complication.

scholarly journals Prevalence of IgG Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in Wuhan – Implications for the Longevity of Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Liu ◽  
Sanyun Wu ◽  
Huangheng Tao ◽  
Guang Zeng ◽  
Fuling Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Antibody Tests

Abstract Background It is to be determined whether people infected with SARS-CoV-2 will develop long-term immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and retain long-lasting antibodies after the infection is resolved. This study was to explore the outcomes of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in four groups of individuals in Wuhan, China.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study on the following four groups who received both COVID-19 IgM/IgG tests and RT-PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 from February 29, 2020 to April 29, 2020: 1470 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 from Leishenshan Hospital, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, and Wuhan No. 7 Hospital, 3832 healthcare providers without COVID-19 diagnosis, 19555 general workers, and 1616 other patients to be admitted to the hospital (N=26473). COVID-19 patients who received IgM/IgG tests <21 days after symptom onset were excluded. Results IgG prevalence was 89.8% (95% CI 88.2-91.3%) in COVID-19 patients, 4.0% (95% CI 3.4-4.7%) in healthcare providers, 4.6 (95% CI 4.3-4.9 %) in general workers, and 1.0% in other patients (p all <0.001 for comparisons with COVID-19 patients). IgG prevalence increased significantly by age among healthcare workers and general workers. Among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, presence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 was not associated with most disease severity, presence of comorbidities, treatment received, and clinical characteristics. We identified 24 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and multiple COVID-19 antibody tests who lost previously detected IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2ConclusionsIgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in infected people may become undetectable overtime.

scholarly journals Implications in the quantitation of SARS-CoV2 copies in concurrent nasopharyngeal swabs, whole mouth fluid and respiratory droplets

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya Kannian ◽  
Bagavad Gita Jayaraman ◽  
Swarna Alamelu ◽  
Chandra Lavanya ◽  
Nagalingeswaran Kumarasamy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Severity ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Virus Shedding ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Copy Numbers ◽  
Respiratory Droplets

AbstractImportanceThe nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) is considered the ideal diagnostic specimen for Covid-19, while WMF is recently promoted due to collection simplicity and importance in disease transmission. There is limited knowledge on the relative viral load in these samples – NPS, whole mouth fluid (WMF) and respiratory droplets (RD; another important source in transmission), on how the loads vary with disease severity and on how much virus is shed.ObjectiveTo quantify and compare SARS-CoV2 copies in the NPS, WMF and RD samples, and correlate with disease severity.DesignCross sectional study.SettingTertiary care multi-speciality hospital with limited resources in a low-to-middle income country.ParticipantsEighty suspected COVID-19 patients were recruited from the COVID-19 out-patient clinic and hospital isolation wards.InterventionConcurrent NPS, WMF and RD samples were collected from all the recruited patients and tested for SARS-CoV2 copies by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Main outcomes and measuresThe main outcome was COVID-19 measured by SARS-CoV2 quantitative RT-PCR in NPS samples. COVID-19 disease severity was determined according to NIH criteria. Virus shedding was defined as the presence of SARS-CoV2 copies in the WMF and RD samples.ResultsSARS-CoV2 was detected in 55/80 (69%) of the NPS samples. Of these 55, WMF and RD samples were positive in 44 (80%) and 17 (31%), respectively. The concordance of WMF with NPS was 84% (p=0.02). SARS-CoV2 copy numbers were comparable in the NPS (median: 8.74×10^5) and WMF (median: 3.07×10^4), but lower in RD samples (median: 3.60×10^2). Patients with mild disease had higher copies in the NPS (median: 3.46×10^6), while patients with severe disease had higher copies in the WMF (median: 1.34×10^6) and RD samples (median: 4.29×10^4). The 25-75% interquartile range of NPS SARS-CoV2 copies was significantly higher in the WMF (p=0.0001) and RD (p=0.01) positive patients.Conclusion and relevanceSARS-CoV2 copies are highest in NPS samples. WMF is a reliable surrogate sample for diagnosis. High copy numbers in the NPS imply initial virological phase and higher risk of virus shedding via WMF and RD.Key pointsQuestionHow the numbers of SARS-CoV2 copies in nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) samples might reflectvirus shedding from the whole upper aerodigestive tract and indicatedisease severity?FindingsIn this cross-sectional study involving 80 suspected COVID-19 patients, the data indicate higher SARS-CoV2 copies in NPS samples of patients with mild disease,and in the whole mouth fluid (WMF) and respiratory droplet (RD) samples of patients with severe disease. Patients with higher SARS-CoV2 copies in the NPS shed the virus in the WMF and RD samples at statistically higher levels.MeaningHigh SARS-CoV2 copies in NPS samples imply initial virological phase withhigh levels of shedding through both WMF and RD.

scholarly journals Diagnostic Performance of RT-PCR-Based Sample Pooling Strategy for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Hueda-Zavaleta ◽  
Cesar Copaja-Corzo ◽  
Vicente A. Benites-Zapata ◽  
Pedro Cardenas-Rueda ◽  
Jorge L. Maguiña ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Diagnostic Performance ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Youden Index ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sample Pooling ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Index Sensitivity

Abstract Background: The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 has created a shortage of supplies of reagents for its detection throughout the world, especially in Latin America. The pooling of samples consists of combining individual patient samples in a block and analyzing the group as a particular sample. This strategy has been shown to reduce the burden of laboratory material and logistical resources by up to 80%. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the pool of samples analyzed by RT-PCR to detect SARS-CoV-2.Methods: A cross-sectional study of diagnostic tests was carried out. We individually evaluated 420 samples, and 42 clusters were formed, each one with ten samples. These clusters could contain 0, 1 or 2 positive samples to simulate a positivity of 0, 10 and 20%, respectively. RT-PCR analyzed the groups for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. The area under the ROC curve (AUC), the Youden index, the global and subgroup Sensitivity and specificity were calculated according to their Ct values that were classified as high (H: ≤25), moderate (M: 26-30) and low (L: 31-35) concentration of viral RNA.Results: From a total of 42 pools, 41 (97.6%) obtained the same result as the samples they contained (positive or negative). The AUC for pooling, Youden index, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.98 (95% CI, 0.95-1); 0.97 (95% CI, 0.90-1.03); 96.67% (95% CI; 88.58-100%) and 100% (95% CI; 95.83-100%) respectively. In the stratified analysis of the pools containing samples with CT <31, the Sensitivity was 100% (95% CI; 90-100%), while with the pools containing samples with Ct ≥31, the Sensitivity was 80% (95% CI, 34.94% - 100%). Finally, a median greater than 2.32 (IQR: 1.12 - 3.03) in the Ct was observed in the pools concerning the Ct of the individual samples (p <0.001).Conclusions: The strategy of pooling nasopharyngeal swab samples for analysis by SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR showed high diagnostic performance.

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