Sample pooling and SARS-CoV-2 assays

Hueda-Zavaleta M.; Bardales-Silva F.; Minchón-Vizconde D.; de la Torre Pretel J.C.G. · Features, Transmission, Detection, and Case Studies in COVID-19 (2024) · DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-95646-8.00029-9

Resumen

The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants worldwide has created a need for cheap, fast-performing diagnostic tests with broad population coverage that can screen for the identification and isolation of those infected. Pooling combines individual patient samples in a "block" and analyzes this pooling as an individual sample. If the pool test is negative, all individual samples are negative, but if the pool is positive, these samples should be tested individually. It has been shown that the pooling of respiratory samples (nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, or saliva swabs) for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 can reduce the consumption of laboratory supplies and labor by up to 90% without affecting diagnostic performance. We review the main aspects, strategies, and results of pooling RT-PCR to diagnose SARS-CoV-2.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Daniel Alcides Carrión; Universidad Privada de Tacna