Author: Barak, N.; Ben-Ami, R.; Sido, T.; Perri, A.; Shtoyer, A.; Rivkin, M.; Licht, T.; Peretz, A.; Magenheim, J.; Fogel, I.; Livneh, A.; Daitch, Y.; Oiknine-Djian, E.; Benedek, G.; Dor, Y.; Wolf, D. G.; Yassour, M.
Title: Lessons from applied large-scale pooling of 133,816 SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR tests Cord-id: v7nbck0n Document date: 2020_10_20
ID: v7nbck0n
Snippet: Pooling multiple swab samples prior to RNA extraction and RT-PCR analysis was proposed as a strategy to reduce costs and increase throughput of SARS-CoV-2 tests. However, reports on practical large-scale group testing for SARS-CoV-2 have been scant. Key open questions concern reduced sensitivity due to sample dilution; the rate of false positives; the actual efficiency (number of tests saved by pooling) and the impact of infection rate in the population on assay performance. Here we report analy
Document: Pooling multiple swab samples prior to RNA extraction and RT-PCR analysis was proposed as a strategy to reduce costs and increase throughput of SARS-CoV-2 tests. However, reports on practical large-scale group testing for SARS-CoV-2 have been scant. Key open questions concern reduced sensitivity due to sample dilution; the rate of false positives; the actual efficiency (number of tests saved by pooling) and the impact of infection rate in the population on assay performance. Here we report analysis of 133,816 samples collected at April-September 2020, tested by pooling for the presence of SARS-CoV-2. We spared 76% of RNA extraction and RT-PCR tests, despite the reality of frequently changing prevalence rate (0.5%-6%). Surprisingly, we observed pooling efficiency and sensitivity that exceed theoretical predictions, which resulted from non-random distribution of positive samples in pools. Overall, the findings strongly support the use of pooling for efficient large high throughput SARS-CoV-2 testing.
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