Pooled testing conserves SARS-CoV-2 laboratory resources and improves test turn-around time: experience on the Kenyan Coast

Wellcome Open Research

article

Charles N. Agoti¹  Martin Mutunga¹  Arnold W. Lambisia¹  Domtila Kimani¹  Robinson Cheruiyot¹  Patience Kiyuka¹  Clement Lewa¹  Elijah Gicheru¹  Metrine Tendwa¹  Khadija Said Mohammed¹  Victor Osoti¹  Johnstone Makale¹  Brian Tawa¹  Calleb Odundo¹  Wesley Cheruiyot¹  Wilfred Nyamu¹  Wilson Gumbi¹  Jedidah Mwacharo¹  Lydia Nyamako¹  Edward Otieno¹  David Amadi¹  Janet Thoya¹  Angela Karani¹  Daisy Mugo¹  Jennifer Musyoki¹  Horace Gumba¹  Salim Mwarumba¹  Bonface M. Gichuki¹  Benjamin Tsofa¹  Susan Njuguna¹  Debra Riako¹  Shadrack Mutua¹  John N. Gitonga¹  Yiakon Sein¹  Brian Bartilol¹  Shaban J. Mwangi¹  Donwilliams O. Omuoyo¹  John M. Morobe¹  Zaydah R. de Laurent¹  Philip Bejon¹  Lynette Isabella Ochola-Oyier¹ 

[1] Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research;Department of Biomedical Sciences, Pwani University;Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford

关键词: COVID-19;    Pooled testing;    SARS-CoV-2;    Kilifi;    Kenya;   

DOI  :  10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16113.2

学科分类：内科医学

来源: Wellcome

【 摘 要 】

Background. International recommendations for the control of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic emphasize the central role of laboratory testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent, at scale. The availability of testing reagents, laboratory equipment and qualified staff are important bottlenecks to achieving this. Elsewhere, pooled testing (i.e. combining multiple samples in the same reaction) has been suggested to increase testing capacities in the pandemic period.Methods. We discuss our experience with SARS-CoV-2 pooled testing using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on the Kenyan Coast.Results. In mid-May, 2020, our RT-PCR testing capacity for SARS-CoV-2 was improved by ~100% as a result of adoption of a six-sample pooled testing strategy. This was accompanied with a concomitant saving of ~50% of SARS-CoV-2 laboratory test kits at both the RNA extraction and RT-PCR stages. However, pooled testing came with a slight decline of test sensitivity. The RT-PCR cycle threshold value (ΔCt) was ~1.59 higher for samples tested in pools compared to samples tested singly.Conclusions. Pooled testing is a useful strategy to increase SARS-CoV-2 laboratory testing capacity especially in low-income settings.

【 授权许可】

CC BY