Accelerating the Laboratory Testing Capacity through Saliva Pooling Prior to Direct RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 Detection.

ABSTRACT: The testing capacity of the laboratory is paramount for better control of the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. The pooling method is promising to increase testing capacity, and the use of direct NAAT-based detection of SARS-CoV-2 on a non-invasive specimen such as saliva will ultimately accelerate the testing capacity. This study aims to validate the pooling-of-four method to quadruple the testing capacity using RNA-extraction-free saliva specimens. In addition, we intend to investigate the preferable stage of pooling, including pre- or post-heating. The compatibility of this approach was also tested on five commercial kits. Saliva specimens stored at -80 °C for several months were proven viable and were used for various tests in this study. Our findings revealed that pooling-of-four specime

SUBMITTER: Kaisar MMM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9777453 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature