Large-Scale SARS-CoV-2 Testing Utilizing Saliva and Transposition Sample Pooling.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Virology
• Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

• Controlling the spread of COVID-19 requires identifying infected individuals and quarantining contacts.
• Large-scale testing, especially for asymptomatic carriers, is crucial for surveillance and rapid outbreak response.
• The COVID-19 early detection program at Michigan State University has implemented such testing since Fall 2020.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline a reliable, cost-effective, and adaptable large-scale saliva testing strategy for COVID-19 surveillance.
• To provide a blueprint for universities and organizations to develop preparedness plans for future viral outbreaks.

Main Methods:

• Utilized self-collected saliva samples, leveraging their reliability and large volume.
• Implemented a cost-effective, reagent-conserving two-dimensional pooling scheme for high-throughput processing.
• Designed the assay and kit components for adaptability and substitution to mitigate supply chain issues.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the feasibility of large-scale saliva testing for COVID-19 surveillance.
• The two-dimensional pooling strategy proved effective for reagent conservation and sample volume.
• The adaptable nature of the process allowed for continued operation despite potential supply shortages.

Conclusions:

• The described methods offer a reliable and scalable approach to SARS-CoV-2 detection using saliva.
• This testing strategy can be adapted for the detection of future viral pathogens present in saliva.
• The provided blueprint supports organizational preparedness for emerging viral threats.