1. Different interpretations of inconclusive results of SARS-CoV-2 real-time RT PCR.
- Author
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La Jeon Y, Lee SG, Lee EH, Song S, Go UY, and Chun GY
- Subjects
- Humans, COVID-19 Testing, Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction, Laboratories, SARS-CoV-2 genetics, COVID-19 diagnosis
- Abstract
We investigated whether inconclusive results could be interpreted differently depending on the situation. First, data from retesting of the initial samples from subjects without a confirmed COVID-19 history were analyzed. And by analyzing the results of consecutive tests with new specimens after receiving inconclusive results between arrivals and locals for 2 periods. As a result, 179 of 219 cases (81.7%) showed still inconclusive or weakly positive results. If contamination is well controlled in a general laboratory, the effectiveness of retesting with the same sample is limited. The rate of the subsequently positive patient was significantly higher in locals than in arrivals and periods with a higher positive rate. The inconclusive results could be interpreted differently depending on the epidemiologic background and the positive rate at that time., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors report no conflicts of interest relevant to this article., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2023
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