Open AccessValidation of a direct-to-PCR COVID-19 detection protocol utilizing mechanical homogenization: A model for reducing resources needed for accurate testing
Author(s) -
Zachary P. Morehouse,
Lyson Samikwa,
Caleb Proctor,
Harry Meleke,
Mercy Kamdolozi,
Gabriella Ryan,
David Chaima,
Antonia Ho,
Rodney J. Nash,
Tonney S. Nyirenda
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0256316
Subject(s) - homogenization (climate) , workflow , covid-19 , gold standard (test) , computer science , protocol (science) , reliability engineering , medicine , virology , biology , pathology , engineering , radiology , biodiversity , ecology , alternative medicine , disease , database , infectious disease (medical specialty) , outbreak
Efficient and effective viral detection methodologies are a critical piece in the global response to COVID-19, with PCR-based nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab testing serving as the current gold standard. With over 100 million confirmed cases globally, the supply chains supporting these PCR testing efforts are under a tremendous amount of stress, driving the need for innovative and accurate diagnostic solutions. Herein, the utility of a direct-to-PCR method of SARS-CoV-2 detection grounded in mechanical homogenization is examined for reducing resources needed for testing while maintaining a comparable sensitivity to the current gold standard workflow of nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab testing. In a head-to-head comparison of 30 patient samples, this initial clinical validation study of the proposed homogenization-based workflow demonstrated significant agreeability with the current extraction-based method utilized while cutting the total resources needed in half.