Increased SARS-CoV-2 Testing Capacity with Pooled Saliva Samples
Anne E. Watkins, Eli P. Fenichel, Daniel M. Weinberger, Chantal B. F. Vogels, Doug E. Brackney, Arnau Casanovas‐Massana, Melissa Campbell, John Fournier, Santos Bermejo, Rupak Datta, Charles S. Dela Cruz, Shelli Farhadian, Akiko Iwasaki, Albert I. Ko, Nathan D. Grubaugh, Anne L. Wyllie
Abstract
We analyzed feasibility of pooling saliva samples for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 testing and found that sensitivity decreased according to pool size: 5 samples/pool, 7.4% reduction; 10 samples/pool, 11.1%; and 20 samples/pool, 14.8%. When virus prevalence is >2.6%, pools of 5 require fewer tests; when <0.6%, pools of 20 support screening strategies.
Topics & Concepts
SalivaSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)PoolingCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)VirologyMedicine2019-20 coronavirus outbreakCoronavirusBiologyInternal medicineOutbreakDiseaseComputer scienceArtificial intelligenceInfectious disease (medical specialty)SARS-CoV-2 detection and testingSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchBiosensors and Analytical Detection