Author/Authors :
Malczynski, Michael Clinical Microbiology Laboratory - Department of Pathology - Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA , Rezaeian, Saba Clinical Microbiology Laboratory - Department of Pathology - Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA , Rios, Javier Clinical Microbiology Laboratory - Department of Pathology - Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA , Dirnberger, Laura Clinical Microbiology Laboratory - Department of Pathology - Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA , Polanco, Wanda Clinical Microbiology Laboratory - Department of Pathology - Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA , Zembower, Teresa Clinical Microbiology Laboratory - Department of Pathology - Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA , Qi, Chao Clinical Microbiology Laboratory - Department of Pathology - Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA
Abstract :
Sputum and endotracheal aspirates (ETs) are not among the vendor-approved specimens for the Cepheid Xpert SARS-CoV-2 assay. However, they are the common lower respiratory tract specimens submitted for laboratory diagnosis. Testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in lower respiratory tract samples is required for the discharge of patients from coronavirus disease (COVID) units at some institutions. We developed a protocol used for testing unliquified viscous sputum or tracheal aspirate with the Cepheid Xpert SARS-CoV-2 assay.
Keywords :
Cepheid Xpert Xpress , endotracheal aspirate , rapid detection , SARS-CoV-2 , sputum
