Underscoring the effect of swab type, workflow, and positive sample order on swab pooling for COVID-19 surveillance testing.

ABSTRACT: Sample pooling is a promising strategy to facilitate COVID-19 surveillance testing for a larger population in comparison to individual single testing due to resource and time constraints. Increased surveillance testing capacity will reduce the likelihood of outbreaks as the general population is returning to work, school, and other gatherings. We have analyzed the impact of three variables on the effectiveness of pooling test samples: swab type, workflow, and positive sample order. We investigated the performance of several commercially available swabs (Steripack polyester flocked, Puritan nylon flocked, Puritan foam) in comparison to a new injected molded design (Yukon). The bench-top performance of collection swab was conducted with a previously developed anterior nasal cavity tissue mod

SUBMITTER: Kalinowski MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10155136 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature