Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2025
Large-Scale SARS-CoV-2 Testing Utilizing Saliva and Transposition Sample Pooling
Published on: June 23, 2022
Effectiveness Of Pcr Pool Testing For Screening Of Covid-19 Infection In Pakistan
Nasir Ahmad1, 2, Hafsah Muhammad2
1Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar.
Background:
We tested the utility of mini-pool PCR testing for the rational use of PCR consumables in screening for CoViD-19.
Methods:
After pilot experiments, 3-samples pool size was selected. One step RT-PCR was performed. The samples in the mini-pool having COVID gene amplification were tested individually.
Results:
1548 samples tested in 516 mini-pools resulted 396 mini-pools as negative and 120 as positive. Upon individual testing, 110 samples tested positive and 9 were inconclusive. 876 PCR reactions were performed to test 1548 samples, saving 43% PCR reagents. Centres with low prevalence resulted in most saving on reagents (50%), while centres with high prevalence resulted in more test reactions. Testing of individual samples resulted in delays in reporting.
Conclusions:
Pooling can increase lab capacity, however, pooling delays results and cause degradation of samples.
More Related Videos
11:11Efficient SARS-CoV-2 Quantitative Reverse Transcriptase PCR Saliva Diagnostic Strategy utilizing Open-Source Pipetting Robots
Published on: February 11, 2022
07:13Swabbing the Urban Environment - A Pipeline for Sampling and Detection of SARS-CoV-2 From Environmental Reservoirs
Published on: April 9, 2021