Abstract
BackgroundSelf‐collection of nasal swabs could improve the timeliness of influenza virus detection in older adults.ObjectivesMeasure the acceptability, adequacy, timeliness, and validity of self‐collected nasal swabs among adults >65 years in Thailand.MethodsOur evaluation consisted of two parts: a one‐month study among randomly selected, community‐dwelling older adults to simulate community‐based surveillance for acute respiratory infections (ARI); and a clinic study of older adults with ARI to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of self‐collected nasal swabs for influenza virus infection compared with healthcare worker (HCW)‐collected nasal and nasopharyngeal swabs.ResultsIn the community study, 24% of participants experienced an ARI during the observation period. All (100%) participants with an ARI self‐collected nasal swabs within 72 hours of symptom onset of which 92% were considered adequate samples. In the clinic study, 45% of patients with ARI presented within 72 hours of symptom onset. The sensitivity of self‐collected nasal swabs for detection of influenza virus infection was 78% (95% CI 40‐97) compared to nasopharyngeal and 88% (95% CI 47‐100) compared to nasal swabs collected by HCWs. Specificity was 100% (95% CI 97‐100) compared to both methods. Self‐collection of nasal swabs was found acceptable by 99% of participants in both studies.ConclusionsSelf‐collection of nasal swabs was acceptable to older adults in Thailand who were able to take adequate samples. Self‐collection of nasal swabs may improve the timeliness of sample collection but lower sensitivity will need to be considered.
Highlights
Influenza virus infection causes a range of illness from mild to severe disease and death, with the highest rates of morbidity and mortality among the very young and very old.[1,2,3] Vaccination against influenza is the best way to prevent influenza-related morbidity and mortality.[4]
Our evaluation consisted of two parts: a community study to evaluate the acceptability, timeliness, and the adequacy of samples collected by community-dwelling persons >65 years; and a clinic study to evaluate the acceptability of self-swabbing, and the sensitivity and specificity of self-collected nasal swabs for influenza virus detection compared to samples collected by healthcare workers (HCW)
We found self-collection of nasal swabs to be highly acceptable to adults >65 years in Thailand and most (92%) were able to take and store an adequate sample
Summary
Influenza virus infection causes a range of illness from mild to severe disease and death, with the highest rates of morbidity and mortality among the very young and very old.[1,2,3] Vaccination against influenza is the best way to prevent influenza-related morbidity and mortality.[4]. Self-collection of nasal swabs may be one method to improve the detection of influenza cases in a timely and cost-e ffective manner for epidemiologic studies and surveillance. Self-collection of nasal swabs involves provision of a swab kit to participants to be used at home to swab the anterior nares within 2-3 days of developing an acute respiratory infection (ARI) when influenza virus is present at the highest concentration.[6] After collection, swabs may be returned to study staff by mail, dropped off or collected at home by study staff. Self-collection of nasal swabs could improve the timeliness of influenza virus detection in older adults. All (100%) participants with an ARI self-collected nasal swabs within 72 hours of symptom onset of which 92% were considered adequate samples. Self-collection of nasal swabs may improve the timeliness of sample collection but lower sensitivity will need to be considered
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.
