Abstract
Scaling up SARS-CoV-2 testing and tracing continues to be plagued with the limitation of the sample collection method, which requires trained healthcare workers to perform and causes discomfort to the patients. In response, we assessed the performance and user preference of gargle specimens for qRT-PCR-based detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Indonesia. Inpatients who had recently been diagnosed with COVID-19 and outpatients who were about to perform qRT-PCR testing were asked to provide nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal (NPOP) swabs and self-collected gargle specimens. We demonstrated that self-collected gargle specimens can be an alternative specimen to detect SARS-CoV-2 and the viral RNA remained stable for 31 days at room temperature storage. The developed method was validated for use on multiple RNA extraction kits and commercially available COVID-19 RT-PCR kits. Our developed method achieved a sensitivity of 91.38% when compared to paired NPOP swab specimens (Ct < 35), with 97.10% of patients preferring the self-collected gargle method.
Highlights
Scaling up SARS-CoV-2 testing and tracing continues to be plagued with the limitation of the sample collection method, which requires trained healthcare workers to perform and causes discomfort to the patients
We found that the detection of both target genes remained stable for 31 days at room temperature, − 20 °C, and − 80 °C (Fig. 1A, B), while no viral RNA was detected on gargle specimens stored at 4 °C after 7 days
We observed that there was a shift of 5 cycle threshold (Ct) values or higher in spiked gargle specimens without Collection Buffer after incubation at room temperature for 2 days (Fig. 1C)
Summary
Scaling up SARS-CoV-2 testing and tracing continues to be plagued with the limitation of the sample collection method, which requires trained healthcare workers to perform and causes discomfort to the patients. Inpatients who had recently been diagnosed with COVID-19 and outpatients who were about to perform qRT-PCR testing were asked to provide nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal (NPOP) swabs and self-collected gargle specimens. While there are methods, such as the IgM/IgG lateral flow test and rapid antigen tests, WHO recommended the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in suspected cases with a nucleic acid amplification test, such as real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), with respiratory specimens 3. These respiratory specimens include nasopharyngeal and/or oropharyngeal swabs. This study was carried out to evaluate the analytical performance and sample stability of self-collected gargle specimens in the population setting (inpatients and outpatients) for the initial diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Semarang, Indonesia
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
