Open AccessDevelopment of a protocol for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in sputum and endotracheal aspirates using Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2
Author(s) -
Michael Malczynski,
Saba Rezaeian,
J.O. Rios,
Laura Dirnberger,
Wanda Polanco,
Teresa Zembower,
Chao Qi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
access microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2516-8290
DOI - 10.1099/acmi.0.000176
Subject(s) - sputum , medicine , covid-19 , respiratory tract , coronavirus , virology , cepheid variable , respiratory system , tuberculosis , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease , stars , physics , astronomy , outbreak
Sputum and endotracheal aspirates (ETs) are not among the vendor-approved specimens for the Cepheid Xpert SARS-CoV-2 assay. However, they are the common lower respiratory tract specimens submitted for laboratory diagnosis. Testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in lower respiratory tract samples is required for the discharge of patients from coronavirus disease (COVID) units at some institutions. We developed a protocol used for testing unliquified viscous sputum or tracheal aspirate with the Cepheid Xpert SARS-CoV-2 assay.