Implementation of Sample Pooling Procedure Using a Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostic Real-Time PCR Test Performed Prior to Hospital Admission of People with Intellectual Disabilities

Antonino Musumeci, Mirella Vinci, Francesca L’Episcopo, Alda Ragalmuto, Vincenzo Neri, Michele Roccella, Giuseppe Quatrosi, Luigi Vetri and Francesco Calì
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Antonino Musumeci: Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero 73, 94018 Troina, Italy
Mirella Vinci: Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero 73, 94018 Troina, Italy
Francesca L’Episcopo: Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero 73, 94018 Troina, Italy
Alda Ragalmuto: Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero 73, 94018 Troina, Italy
Vincenzo Neri: Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero 73, 94018 Troina, Italy
Michele Roccella: Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Giuseppe Quatrosi: Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Luigi Vetri: Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero 73, 94018 Troina, Italy
Francesco Calì: Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero 73, 94018 Troina, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-7

Abstract: Reliability, accuracy, and timeliness of diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection have allowed adequate public health management of the disease, thus notably helping the timely mapping of viral spread within the community. Furthermore, the most vulnerable populations, such as people with intellectual disability and dementia, represent a high-risk group across multiple dimensions, including a higher prevalence of pre-existing conditions, lower health maintenance, and a propensity for rapid community spread. This led to an urgent need for reliable in-house rapid testing to be performed prior to hospital admission. In the present study, we describe a pooling procedure in which oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 detection (performed prior to hospital admission using rapid RT-PCR assay) are pooled together at the time of sample collection. Sample pooling (groups of 2–4 samples per tube) allowed us to significantly reduce response times, consumables, and personnel costs while maintaining the same test sensitivity.

Keywords: RT-PCR; SARS-CoV-2; sample pooling; sensitivity; hospital admission (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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