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Updated: Jul 6, 2025
Large-Scale SARS-CoV-2 Testing Utilizing Saliva and Transposition Sample Pooling
Published on: June 23, 2022
Large scale use of SARS-CoV-2 antigen-based detection tests: a three-month experience in Guatemala, June-August 2020
Lorena Gobern1, Liz Parra2, Antonio A Paredes1
1Ministry of public health and social assistance of Guatemala Guatemala City Guatemala Ministry of public health and social assistance of Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Objectives:
To measure protocol adherence and antigen-based detection tests (AgDT) negative predictive value after 3 months of massive use as a diagnostic tool for COVID-19 in Guatemala.
Methods:
The study period included nasopharyngeal swabs taken between March 12 and August 31, 2020, which results were entered in the national COVID-19 information system. Proportional increase in testing between one month before and one month after the introduction of AgDT (May 9-June 8 vs. June 9-July 8) was measured.
Results:
After AgDT introduction, there was a 139% increase in SARS-CoV-2 testing. Between June 9 and August 31, 7.8% of 110 657 AgDT-negative patients had follow-up RT-PCR testing. Of them, 30% were RT-PCR positive.
Conclusions:
While introducing AgDT improved access to diagnostics, ensuring the availability of timely RT-PCR capacities to confirm diagnosis is also key.
