Reagent efficiency and analytical sensitivity optimization for a reliable SARS-CoV-2 pool-based testing strategy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic caused millions of infections worldwide. Among the strategies for effective containment, frequent and massive testing was fundamental. Although sample pooling allows multiplying the installed analysis capacity, the definition of the number of samples to include in a pool is commonly guided more by economic parameters than analytical quality.

Methods

We developed a mathematical model to determine the pooling conditions that maximize reagent efficiency and analytical sensitivity. We evaluated 30 samples individually and in 2-sample to 12-sample pools. Using Passing Bablok regressions, we estimated the shift of Ct values in the RT-qPCR reaction for each pool size. With this Ct shift, we estimated sensitivity in the context of the distribution

SUBMITTER: Miranda JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11761315 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature