Sensitivity of Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Tests for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Through Time

Binny RNPriest PFrench NPParry MLustig AHendy SCMaclaren OJRidings KMSteyn NVattiato GPlank MJ2024-01-222024-07-252022-07-252024-01-222024-07-252023-01-01Binny RN, Priest P, French NP, Parry M, Lustig A, Hendy SC, Maclaren OJ, Ridings KM, Steyn N, Vattiato G, Plank MJ. (2022). Sensitivity of Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Tests for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Through Time.. J Infect Dis. 227. 1. (pp. 9-17).0022-1899https://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/70603BACKGROUND: Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests are the gold standard for detecting recent infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Reverse transcription PCR sensitivity varies over the course of an individual's infection, related to changes in viral load. Differences in testing methods, and individual-level variables such as age, may also affect sensitivity. METHODS: Using data from New Zealand, we estimate the time-varying sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR under varying temporal, biological, and demographic factors. RESULTS: Sensitivity peaks 4-5 days postinfection at 92.7% (91.4%-94.0%) and remains over 88% between 5 and 14 days postinfection. After the peak, sensitivity declined more rapidly in vaccinated cases compared with unvaccinated, females compared with males, those aged under 40 compared with over 40s, and Pacific peoples compared with other ethnicities. CONCLUSIONS: Reverse transcription PCR remains a sensitive technique and has been an effective tool in New Zealand's border and postborder measures to control coronavirus disease 2019. Our results inform model parameters and decisions concerning routine testing frequency.(c) The author/shttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/COVID-19SARS-CoV-2reversetranscriptionpolymerase chain reactionsurveillancetest sensitivityMaleFemaleHumansAgedSARS-CoV-2COVID-19COVID-19 TestingReverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionReverse TranscriptionClinical Laboratory TechniquesSensitivity and SpecificityReal-Time Polymerase Chain ReactionSensitivity of Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Tests for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Through TimeJournal article10.1093/infdis/jiac3171537-6613CC BY-NC-ND 4.0journal-article9-17https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/358765006649627