Original Research Article
Year: 2022 | Month: July | Volume: 12 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 1-7
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20220701
Optimal Biospecimen Acquisition for Detection of SARS CoV-2 by rRT-PCR in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Kalpesh Khutade1, Harshada Shah2, Samiksha Patil3, Sangita Chanda4
1Research assistant, 2Professor and HOD, 3Assistant professor, 4Tutor
Dept. of Microbiology, Vedantaa Institute of Medical Sciences, Vedantaa Hospital and Research Centre, Saswand, Dhundalwadi, Taluka Dahanu, District Palghar, Maharashtra-401606, India
Corresponding Author: Kalpesh Khutade
ABSTRACT
Introduction: For optimal detection of SARS-COV-2 with high sensitivity and specificity, it is important to obtain a representative bio-specimen that would indicate actual status of virus replication in the physiological circulation. Based on the type of biohazard causing agent, detection assay type and biological specimen varies. Due to diverse range of SARS CoV-2 detection rates in reported studies, the dilemma for optimal sampling strategy for diagnosis of COVID-19 remains. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the best possible sample type to detect SARS-CoV2 infection in clinically suspected patients.
Material and Methods: An observational study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Maharashtra during May and June 2021. Nasopharyngeal, Oropharyngeal & Bronchoalveolar lavage samples of 117 patients with varying age, severity of illness and time of collection were processed by RT-PCR for SARS CoV-2.
Results: Test outcomes were classified as –Negative or Positive as per kit recommendation. A total of 117 samples consisting of 51 (43.58%), Nasopharyngeal sample, 45 (38.46%) Oropharyngeal sample & 21 (17.94%) Bronchoalveolar lavage samples were tested by RT-PCR. SARS CoV-2 RNA was detected in 54 (46.15%) out of 117 patients of which 31 (45.58%) were males and 23 (46.93%) were females. It was observed that maximum positive results were seen in BAL (80.95%), NPS (50.98%) followed by NPS. OPS samples showed 11 positive results out of 45 (24.44%). Tukey’s HSD test for multiple comparisons found that the mean value of the dependent variable was significantly different between NPS, OPS & BAL samples group. P = 0.000, 95% C.I = 24.5749-25.8111
Conclusions: With the limitation of small number of BAL samples included in the study, it can be considered as, it is the ‘sample of choice’ for detecting SARS CoV- 2 by RT-PCR, if available.
Key words: SARS CoV-2, Nasopharyngeal, Oropharyngeal, Bronchoalveolar lavage, rRTPCR.