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Published on: November 7, 2020
Validating Combination Throat-Nasal Swab Specimens for COVID-19 Tests Would Improve Early Detection, Especially for
Alexander Viloria Winnett1,2,3, Timothy Stenzel4, Rustem F Ismagilov1,2
1Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA.
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.
