Open AccessOne‐step and sequential SARSCOV‐2 polymerase chain reaction tests would not work every time
Author(s) -
Hatami Firouze,
Rabiei Mohammad Mahdi,
Javandoust Gharehbagh Farid,
Pourhoseingholi Mohamad Amin,
Sabeti Shahram,
Kheyrian Mahnaz,
Alavi Darazam Ilad
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of clinical laboratory analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1098-2825
pISSN - 0887-8013
DOI - 10.1002/jcla.24226
Subject(s) - medicine , real time polymerase chain reaction , pcr test , polymerase chain reaction , false negative reactions , test (biology) , biology , gene , genetics , paleontology
RT‐PCR is widely used as a diagnostic test for the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2. In this study, we aim to describe the clinical utility of serial PCR testing in the final detection of COVID‐19. Method We collected multiple nasopharyngeal swab samples from patients who had negative RT‐PCR test on the first day after hospitalization. RT‐PCR tests were performed on the second day for all patients with initial negative result. For the patients with secondary negative results on day 2, tertiary RT‐PCR tests were performed on day 3 after hospitalization. Result Among 68 patients with initial negative test results, at the end of follow‐up, the mortality number was 20 (29.4%). About 33.8% of patients had subsequent positive PCR test results for the second time and 17.4% of the patients who performed third PCR test had positive result. Conclusion Based on this study, serial RT‐PCR testing is unlikely to yield additional information.