Implementation of an efficient SARS-CoV-2 specimen pooling strategy for high throughput diagnostic testing.

ABSTRACT: The rapid identification and isolation of infected individuals remains a key strategy for controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Frequent testing of populations to detect infection early in asymptomatic or presymptomatic individuals can be a powerful tool for intercepting transmission, especially when the viral prevalence is low. However, RT-PCR testing-the gold standard of SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis-is expensive, making regular testing of every individual unfeasible. Sample pooling is one approach to lowering costs. By combining samples and testing them in groups the number of tests required is reduced, substantially lowering costs. Here we report on the implementation of pooling strategies using 3-d and 4-d hypercubes to test a professional sports team in South Africa. We have shown that infect

SUBMITTER: Singh L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8423848 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature