Comparing SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Anterior Nasal Vestibular Swabs vs. Oropharyngeal Swabs

Meiyan Li; Meiyan Li; Meiyan Li; Ruoyan Wei; Ruoyan Wei; Ruoyan Wei; Yaling Yang; Taiwen He; Yinzhong Shen; Tangkai Qi; Tian Han; Tian Han; Tian Han; Zhigang Song; Zhaoqin Zhu; Xiaopeng Ma; Yixiao Lin; Yasheng Yuan; Keqing Zhao; Hongzhou Lu; Xingtao Zhou; Xingtao Zhou; Xingtao Zhou

doi:10.3389/fcimb.2021.653794

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (Jul 2021)

Comparing SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Anterior Nasal Vestibular Swabs vs. Oropharyngeal Swabs

Meiyan Li,
Meiyan Li,
Meiyan Li,
Ruoyan Wei,
Ruoyan Wei,
Ruoyan Wei,
Yaling Yang,
Taiwen He,
Yinzhong Shen,
Tangkai Qi,
Tian Han,
Tian Han,
Tian Han,
Zhigang Song,
Zhaoqin Zhu,
Xiaopeng Ma,
Yixiao Lin,
Yasheng Yuan,
Keqing Zhao,
Hongzhou Lu,
Xingtao Zhou,
Xingtao Zhou,
Xingtao Zhou

Affiliations

Meiyan Li: Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Meiyan Li: NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Meiyan Li: Shanghai Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shanghai, China
Ruoyan Wei: Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Ruoyan Wei: NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Ruoyan Wei: Shanghai Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shanghai, China
Yaling Yang: Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
Taiwen He: Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
Yinzhong Shen: Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
Tangkai Qi: Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
Tian Han: Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Tian Han: NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Tian Han: Shanghai Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shanghai, China
Zhigang Song: Department of Pathogen Diagnosis and Biosafety, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
Zhaoqin Zhu: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
Xiaopeng Ma: Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
Yixiao Lin: Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
Yasheng Yuan: Department of Otolaryngology, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Keqing Zhao: Department of Otolaryngology, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Hongzhou Lu: Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Shanghai, China
Xingtao Zhou: Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Xingtao Zhou: NHC Key Laboratory of Myopia, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Xingtao Zhou: Shanghai Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shanghai, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2021.653794
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 11

Abstract

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PurposeTo investigate the sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 testing in specimens collected from the anterior nasal vestibules of COVID-19 patients.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis was performed on 30 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 at the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from March 14, 2020 to March 21, 2020. Paired specimens were collected from both the anterior nasal vestibule and the oropharynx from all patients. All specimens were tested for SARS-CoV-2 using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays.ResultsOf the 30 patients with confirmed COVID-19, 17 patients (56.7%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 when oropharyngeal specimens were used, while 20 patients (66.7%) tested positive when nasal swab specimens were used. There was no statistically significant difference in sensitivity between the two methods.ConclusionsRespiratory swabs collected from the nasal vestibule offer a less invasive alternative to oropharyngeal swabs for specimen collection in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and have adequate sensitivity.

Published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

ISSN: 2235-2988 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Microbiology
Website: http://www.frontiersin.org/Cellular-and-Infection-Microbiology

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