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Palomino-Padilla S, Caceres-Cardenas G, Calderon R, Ko ACT, Garnett L, Doan K, Chong P, Lino H, Caceres T, Veres T, Dos Santos CC, Nielsen B, Ugarte-Gil C. Original article: novelty of Canadian manufacture nasopharyngeal swabs for collection of samples being tested for SARS-CoV-2 in a pandemic setting. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1344295. [PMID: 38784579 PMCID: PMC11111943 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1344295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives The COVID-19 pandemic caused a global shortage of nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs, required for RT-PCR testing. Canadian manufacturers were contacted to share NP swab innovations. The primary objective was to determine whether novel NP test swabs were comparable to commercially available swabs regarding user characteristics, ability to collect a specimen, and diagnostic performance using RT-PCR testing. Methods Participants were randomized by swab (test/control) and nostril (left/right). A calculated positive percent agreement ≥90% was considered successful. Mean Ct values of viral genes and housekeeping gene (RNase P) were considered similar if a Ct difference ≤ 2 between control and test group was obtained. There also was a qualitative assessment of swabs usability. Results 647 participants were enrolled from Huaycan Hospital in Lima, Peru, distributed over 8 NP swabs brands. Seven brands agreed to share their results. There were no statistically significant differences between the test swabs of these 7 brands and control swabs. Conclusion All the seven brands are comparable to the commercially available flocked swabs used for SARS-CoV-2 regarding test results agreement, ability to collect a specimen, and user characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alex C-T. Ko
- Medical Devices Research Centre, National Research Council Canada (NRC), Boucherville, ON, Canada
| | - Lauren Garnett
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Winnipeg, ON, Canada
| | - Kaylie Doan
- National Laboratory for HIV Immunology, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, ON, Canada
| | - Patrick Chong
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Winnipeg, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Teodor Veres
- National Research Council Canada (NRC), Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Birgit Nielsen
- National Research Council Canada (NRC), Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Instrum RS, Koch RW, Rocha T, Rohani SA, Ladak H, Agrawal SK, Sowerby LJ. Improving Nasopharyngeal Swab Technique via Simulation for Frontline Workers. Laryngoscope 2022; 133:38-42. [PMID: 35102548 PMCID: PMC9015425 DOI: 10.1002/lary.30034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Nasopharyngeal swabs currently remain the gold standard for COVID-19 sample collection. A surge in testing volume has resulted in a large number of health care workers who are unfamiliar with nasal anatomy performing this test, which can lead to improper collection practices culminating in false-negative results and complications. Therefore, we aimed to assess the accuracy and educational potential of a realistic 3D-printed nasal swab simulator to expedite health care workers' skill acquisition. STUDY DESIGN Prospective pre-post interventional study. METHODS A nasal swab task trainer (NSTT) was developed to scale from computed tomography data with a deviated septum. Frontline workers at COVID-19 testing sites in Ontario, Canada, were recruited to use the NSTT for nasopharyngeal swab training. Integrated video recording capability allowed participants to self-evaluate procedure accuracy. A five-point Likert scale was collected regarding the NSTT's educational value and procedural fidelity. RESULTS Sixty-two frontline workers included in the study were primarily registered nurses (52%) or paramedics (16%). Following simulator use, self-assessed accuracy improved in 77% of all participants and 100% of participants who expressed low confidence before training. Ninety-four percent reported that the NSTT provided a complete educational experience, and 82% regarded the system as a more effective training approach than what is currently available. Eighty-one indicated that the simulator should be used at all COVID-19 testing sites, with 77% stating province-wide implementation was warranted. CONCLUSIONS The nasal swab task trainer is an effective educational tool that appears well-suited for improved skill acquisition in COVID-19 testing and may be useful for training other nasal swab applications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3 Laryngoscope, 133:38-42, 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan S. Instrum
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and DentistryWestern UniversityLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Robert W. Koch
- School of Biomedical EngineeringWestern UniversityLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Taciano Rocha
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and DentistryWestern UniversityLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Seyed Alizera Rohani
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and DentistryWestern UniversityLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Hanif Ladak
- Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringWestern UniversityLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Sumit K. Agrawal
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and DentistryWestern UniversityLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Leigh J Sowerby
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and DentistryWestern UniversityLondonOntarioCanada
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Chia DKA, Lim Z, Ang JJ, Tambyah PA, Lau KSH, Ong J, Chow VTK, Allen DM, Fung J, Lau KJX, Luhung I, Schuster SC, Lee CN, Kim G, So JBY, Lomanto D, Shabbir A. Coronavirus viability in surgical plume and methods for safe disposal: a preclinical model. Br J Surg 2021; 109:15-20. [PMID: 34792098 DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znab385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Smoke generated by cautery devices used during surgery may contain infective particles and may cause transmission of airborne viruses. This study determines whether live viruses are present in surgical smoke and evaluates the effectiveness of several proposed methods of removal so as to improve safety of healthcare workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daryl K A Chia
- Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Zhixue Lim
- Department of Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery, University Orthopaedic, Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Jia Jun Ang
- Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Paul A Tambyah
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University Medical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Kelly S H Lau
- Infectious Diseases Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
| | - Joe Ong
- Infectious Diseases Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
| | - Vincent T K Chow
- Infectious Diseases Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
| | - David M Allen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University Medical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Javis Fung
- Division of General Surgery (Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery), Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Kenny J X Lau
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Irvan Luhung
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Stephan C Schuster
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Chuen Neng Lee
- Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Guowei Kim
- Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore.,Division of General Surgery (Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery), Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Jimmy B Y So
- Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore.,Division of General Surgery (Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery), Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore.,Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Davide Lomanto
- Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore.,Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Minimally Invasive Surgical Centre, Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Asim Shabbir
- Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore.,Division of General Surgery (Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery), Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore.,Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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4
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Song J, Korunes‐Miller J, Banerji R, Wu Y, Fazeli S, Zheng H, Orr B, Morgan E, Andry C, Henderson J, Miller NS, White A, Grinstaff MW. On-Site, On-Demand 3D-Printed Nasopharyngeal Swabs to Improve the Access of Coronavirus Disease-19 Testing. GLOBAL CHALLENGES (HOBOKEN, NJ) 2021; 5:2100039. [PMID: 34754507 PMCID: PMC8562062 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202100039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Diagnostic testing that facilitates containment, surveillance, and treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), or future respiratory viruses, depends on a sample collection device that efficiently collects nasopharyngeal tissue and that can be manufactured on site when an outbreak or public health emergency is declared by a government. Here two novel stereolithography-based three-dimensional (3D)-printed nasopharyngeal swabs are reported which are made using a biocompatible and sterilizable photoresist. Such swabs are readily manufactured on-site and on-demand to ensure availability, if supply chain shortages emerge. Additionally, the 3D-printed swabs easily adapt to current workflow and testing procedures in hospital clinical laboratories to allow for effortless scaling up of test kits. Finally, the 3D-printed nasopharyngeal swabs demonstrate concordant SARS-CoV-2 testing results between the 3D-printed swabs and the COPAN commercial swabs, and enable detection of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples obtained from autopsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxi Song
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringBoston UniversityBoston Medical CenterBostonMA02215USA
| | - Jeremy Korunes‐Miller
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringBoston UniversityBoston Medical CenterBostonMA02215USA
| | - Rohin Banerji
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringBoston UniversityBoston Medical CenterBostonMA02215USA
| | - Yuanqiao Wu
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringBoston UniversityBoston Medical CenterBostonMA02215USA
| | - Shoreh Fazeli
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory MedicineBoston UniversityBoston Medical CenterBostonMA02215USA
| | - Hanqiao Zheng
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory MedicineBoston UniversityBoston Medical CenterBostonMA02215USA
| | - Beverley Orr
- Clinical Microbiology & Molecular DiagnosticsBoston UniversityBoston Medical CenterBostonMA02215USA
| | - Elise Morgan
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringBoston UniversityBoston Medical CenterBostonMA02215USA
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringBoston UniversityBoston Medical CenterBostonMA02215USA
| | - Christopher Andry
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory MedicineBoston UniversityBoston Medical CenterBostonMA02215USA
| | - Joel Henderson
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory MedicineBoston UniversityBoston Medical CenterBostonMA02215USA
| | - Nancy S. Miller
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory MedicineBoston UniversityBoston Medical CenterBostonMA02215USA
- Clinical Microbiology & Molecular DiagnosticsBoston UniversityBoston Medical CenterBostonMA02215USA
| | - Alice White
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringBoston UniversityBoston Medical CenterBostonMA02215USA
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringBoston UniversityBoston Medical CenterBostonMA02215USA
| | - Mark W. Grinstaff
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringBoston UniversityBoston Medical CenterBostonMA02215USA
- Department of ChemistryBoston UniversityBoston Medical CenterBostonMA02215USA
- Department of MedicineBoston UniversityBoston Medical CenterBostonMA02215USA
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5
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Tooker A, Moya ML, Wang DN, Freeman D, Borucki M, Wheeler E, Larsen G, Shusteff M, Duoss EB, Spadaccini CM. Performance of three-dimensional printed nasopharyngeal swabs for COVID-19 testing. MRS BULLETIN 2021; 46:813-821. [PMID: 34539055 PMCID: PMC8437332 DOI: 10.1557/s43577-021-00170-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US faced nationwide shortages of nasopharyngeal swabs due to both overwhelmed supply chains and an increase in demand. To address this shortfall, multiple 3D printed swabs were ultimately produced and sold for COVID-19 testing. In this work, we present a framework for mechanical and functional bench-testing of nasopharyngeal swabs using standard and widely available material testing equipment. Using this framework, we offer a comprehensive, quantitative comparison of the 3D printed swabs to benchmark their performance against traditional flocked swabs. The test protocols were designed to emulate the clinical use of the nasopharyngeal swabs and to evaluate potential failure modes. Overall, the 3D printed swabs performed comparably to, or outperformed, the traditional swabs in all mechanical tests. While traditional swabs outperformed some of the new 3D printed swabs in terms of sample uptake and retention, similar amounts of RNA were recovered from both 3D printed and traditional swabs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Tooker
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Greg Larsen
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, USA
| | | | - Eric B. Duoss
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, USA
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