A multicenter study to assess the performance of the point-of-care RT-PCR Cobas SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza A/B nucleic acid test for use on the Cobas Liat system in comparison with centralized assays across healthcare facilities in the United States

• Published in: Journal of clinical microbiology Vol. 63; no. 8; p. e0145924
• Main Authors: Robbins, Elissa M., Bertuzis, Rasa, Chiu, Ho-Chen, Miller, Lupe, Noutsios, Christopher
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Society for Microbiology 13.08.2025
• Subjects: Adult; COVID-19 - diagnosis; COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing - methods; Female; Humans; Influenza A virus - genetics; Influenza A virus - isolation & purification; Influenza B virus - genetics; Influenza B virus - isolation & purification; Influenza, Human - diagnosis; Influenza, Human - virology; Male; Middle Aged; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques - methods; Nasopharynx - virology; Point-of-Care Systems; Point-of-Care Testing; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; SARS-CoV-2 - genetics; SARS-CoV-2 - isolation & purification; Sensitivity and Specificity; United States; Virology; United States; nasal; SARS-CoV-2; influenza A; performance; influenza B; outpatients; primary care; point of care; emergency department; nasopharyngeal
• ISSN: 0095-1137; 1098-660X; 1098-660X
• DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01459-24

This study highlights the benefits of RT-PCR point-of-care tests, namely comparable performance to centralized testing in multiple sample types and ease of use. Utilizing assays such as the POC Cobas SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza A/B test may improve the timely differentiation of respiratory diseases that share similar symptoms.