July 1, 2020

Assessment of Sensitivity and Specificity of Patient-Collected Lower Nasal Specimens for Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Testing

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment Sensitivity and specificity were equivalen

• Sensitivity and specificity were equivalent for patient–collected lower nasal specimens, physician-collected lower nasal specimens, and physician–collected oropharyngeal specimens in participants with SARS-CoV-2 infection (n=30) for detection by RT-PCR. Sensitivity of patient–collected specimens was 100% (95% CI: 72%-100%), and the specificity was 95% (95% CI: 74%-100%). 

Altamirano et al. (June 12, 2020). Assessment of Sensitivity and Specificity of Patient-Collected Lower Nasal Specimens for Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Testing. JAMA Network Open. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.12005