Increased SARS-CoV-2 Testing Capacity with Pooled Saliva Samples

Emerg Infect Dis. 2021 Apr;27(4):1184-1187. doi: 10.3201/eid2704.204200.

Abstract

We analyzed feasibility of pooling saliva samples for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 testing and found that sensitivity decreased according to pool size: 5 samples/pool, 7.4% reduction; 10 samples/pool, 11.1%; and 20 samples/pool, 14.8%. When virus prevalence is >2.6%, pools of 5 require fewer tests; when <0.6%, pools of 20 support screening strategies.

Keywords: 2019 novel coronavirus disease; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus disease; diagnostics; respiratory infections; saliva; screening; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; viruses; zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing / methods*
  • COVID-19* / diagnosis
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Capacity Building / methods
  • Health Care Rationing
  • Humans
  • Limit of Detection
  • Resource Allocation / methods
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification*
  • Saliva / virology*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Specimen Handling / methods*
  • United States