Investigating the Sensitivity of Nasal or Throat Swabs: Combination of Both Swabs Increases the Sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Tests
Barbara Goodall, Jason J. LeBlanc, Todd F. Hatchette, Lisa Barrett, Glenn Patriquin
Abstract
This quality project demonstrates that combining the results of nasal and throat swabs or using a combined single swab of the throat and nares resulted in increased detection of SARS-CoV-2 using a rapid antigen test, in an asymptomatic population. Importantly, no false positives were detected, and over 90% of people were willing to perform the combination swab. These types of projects are instrumental in informing local practices to improve testing strategies. These data support the option of using a combined nasal/throat swab in our local setting to enhance the detection of Omicron.
Topics & Concepts
ThroatMedicineNoseSore throatAsymptomaticVirologySevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Internal medicineImmunologySurgeryInfectious disease (medical specialty)DiseaseSARS-CoV-2 detection and testingBiosensors and Analytical DetectionAdvanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques