Assessment of Sensitivity and Specificity of Nasopharyngeal and Throat Swabs in Detection of COVID-19 Infection Among Admitted Patients: A Scientific Perspective

Background: Early and accurate detection of respiratory viruses (RV) is important for patient management. We have previously shown that self-collected nasal swabs (NS) are feasible as sensitive clinician-collected washes RV, but the additive benefit throat unknown.Objectives: To test rise in auto sufficient yields to patients with upper (URTI) symptoms PCR identification RV.Study Design: Patients URTI paired polyurethane foam NS nylon flocked completed a symptom survey. Swabs were tested 12 RV by real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. Descriptive, McNemar's, Wilcoxon signed rank statistical tests used.Results: The sample was made up 115 swab nasals throat, at least 1 specimen being positive (71/115 (62 percent), including 51 both specimens, 17 only 3 favorable swab. 96 percent (95 CI: 88-99) compared 76 per cent swabs, p < 0.001 65-85). median period threshold (Ct) concordant samples lower (25.1) than (32.0).Conclusion: Self-collection significantly more self-collection RT-PCR. addition sampling does not appear increase diagnostic load self-testing setting.