Test, trace, isolate: evidence for declining SARS-CoV-2 PCR sensitivity in a clinical cohort.

ABSTRACT: Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on upper respiratory tract (URT) samples is the primary method to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 infections and guide public health measures, with a supportive role for serology. We reinforce previous findings on limited sensitivity of PCR testing, and solidify this fact by statistically utilizing a firm basis of multiple tests per individual. We integrate stratifications with respect to several patient characteristics such as severity of disease and time since onset of symptoms. Bayesian statistical modelling was used to retrospectively determine the sensitivity of RT-PCR using SARS-CoV-2 serology in 644 COVID-19-suspected patients with varying degrees of disease severity and duration. The sensitivity of RT-PCR ranged between 80% - 9

SUBMITTER: Bergmans BJM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8059257 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature