1
|
Oba J, Taniguchi H, Sato M, Takanashi M, Yokemura M, Sato Y, Nishihara H. SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR testing of pooled saliva samples: A case study of 824 asymptomatic individuals and a questionnaire survey in Japan. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263700. [PMID: 35550622 PMCID: PMC9098043 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for diagnostic and screening tests has exceeded supply. Although the proportion of vaccinated people has increased in wealthier countries, breakthrough infections have occurred amid the emergence of new variants. Pooled-sample COVID-19 testing using saliva has been proposed as an efficient, inexpensive, and non-invasive method to allow larger-scale testing, especially in a screening setting. In this study, we aimed to evaluate pooled RT-qPCR saliva testing and to compare the results with individual tests. Employees of Philips Japan, Ltd. were recruited to participate in COVID-19 screening from October to December 2020. Asymptomatic individuals (n = 824) submitted self-collected saliva samples. Samples were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR in both 10-sample pools and individual tests. We also surveyed participants regarding their thoughts and behaviors after the PCR screening project. Two of the 824 individuals were positive by RT-qPCR. In the pooled testing, one of these two had no measurable Ct value, but showed an amplification trend at the end of the PCR cycle. Both positive individuals developed cold-like symptoms, but neither required hospitalization. Of the 824 participants, 471 responded to our online questionnaire. Overall, while respondents agreed that PCR screening should be performed regularly, the majority were willing to undergo PCR testing only when it was provided for free or at low cost. In conclusion, pooled testing of saliva samples can support frequent large-scale screening that is rapid, efficient, and inexpensive.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junna Oba
- Keio Cancer Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Extended Intelligence for Medicine, The Ishii-Ishibashi Laboratory, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Taniguchi
- Keio Cancer Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Research and Development Center for Precision Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Innovation Medical Research Institute, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
- Keio University Hospital Clinical and Translational Research Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Masae Sato
- Keio Cancer Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaki Takanashi
- LSI Medience Corporation Central Laboratory Center, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Moe Yokemura
- LSI Medience Corporation Central Laboratory Center, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasunori Sato
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nishihara
- Keio Cancer Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Research and Development Center for Precision Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Innovation Medical Research Institute, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
- Keio University Hospital Clinical and Translational Research Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Costa MS, Guimarães NS, de Andrade AB, Vaz-Tostes LP, Oliveira RB, Simões MDS, Gelape GDO, Alves CRL, Machado EL, da Fonseca FG, Teixeira SMR, Sato HI, Takahashi RHC, Tupinambás U. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 through pool testing for COVID-19: an integrative review. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2021; 54:e0276. [PMID: 34787261 PMCID: PMC8582953 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0276-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The pool testing technique optimizes the number of tests performed and reduces the delivery time of results, which is an interesting strategy for the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This integrative review investigated studies in which pool testing was carried out for epidemiological or screening purposes to analyze its clinical or cost effectiveness and assessed the applicability of this method in high-, middle-, and low-income countries. METHODS This integrative review used primary studies published in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS), and Cochrane Library databases. RESULTS A total of 435 studies were identified: 35.3% were carried out in Asia, 29.4% in Europe, 29.4% in North America, and 5.9% in Oceania. CONCLUSIONS This review suggests that pool testing in the general population may be a useful surveillance strategy to detect new variants of SARS-CoV-2 and to evaluate the period of immunogenicity and global immunity from vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Murilo Soares Costa
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Nathalia Sernizon Guimarães
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | | | | | - Rhuan Braga Oliveira
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Faculdade de Medicina, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | | | | | | | - Elaine Leandro Machado
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Medicina Preventiva e Social, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | | | | | - Hugo Itaru Sato
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Centro de Tecnologia de Vacinas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | | | - Unaí Tupinambás
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Belo Horizonte , MG, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|