Validating Combination Throat-Nasal Swab Specimens for COVID-19 Tests Would Improve Early Detection, Especially for the Most Vulnerable.
editorial · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 39041943.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1093/cid/ciae381 and PMC identifier 11478585.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Early detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection by diagnostic tests can prompt actions to reduce transmission and improve treatment efficacy, especially for vulnerable groups such as immunocompromised individuals. Recent evidence suggests that sampling the throat in addition to the nose improves clinical sensitivity during early infection for both antigen and molecular coronavirus disease 2019 tests. We urge test manufacturers to validate tests for use with throat swab, in combination with nasal swabs.
Medical subject headings
- COVID-19
- Pharynx
- Specimen Handling
- SARS-CoV-2
- Nose