Nasopharyngeal swab collection in the suspicion of Covid-19

• Published in: American journal of otolaryngology Vol. 41; no. 5; p. 102551
• Main Authors: Piras, Antonio, Rizzo, Davide, Longoni, Eleonora, Turra, Nicola, Urru, Silvana, Saba, Pier Paolo, Musumano, Lucia, Bussu, Francesco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.09.2020; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Betacoronavirus - isolation & purification; Biohazards; Clinical Laboratory Techniques - instrumentation; Clinical Laboratory Techniques - methods; Coronavirus Infections - diagnosis; COVID 19; COVID-19 Testing; Epidemics; Humans; Medical personnel; Medical wastes; mRNA; Nasopharyngeal swab; Nasopharynx - virology; Nose; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral - diagnosis; Polymerase chain reaction; SARS-CoV-2; SARS-COv-2 infection; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Specimen Handling - instrumentation; Specimen Handling - methods; Viral diseases; Nasopharyngeal swab; SARS-COv-2 infection; COVID 19
• ISSN: 0196-0709; 1532-818X; 1532-818X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2020.102551

RT-PCR detection of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA on nasopharyngeal swab is the standard for diagnosing active Covid-19 disease in asymptomatic subjects and in symptomatic patients without the typical radiological findings. Nasopharyngeal swabbing appears a trivial procedure, still an inappropriate nasopharyngeal sampling, performed by untrained operators, can be a relevant cause of false negative findings with a clear negative impact on the effort to control the epidemic and, when PPE is not properly used, this can expose healthcare workers and patients to risks of contagion.