ArticleJournal of medical virology2020
Optimization of group size in pool testing strategy for SARS-CoV-2: A simple mathematical model.
Article in Journal of medical virology, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 46 papers.
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Who cites it
46 citing papers in PubMed.
- Optimal pooling strategies for respiratory virus testing: A comparative cost-effectiveness analysis.PLOS global public health · 2026Article
- Enhancing RT-PCR Throughput and Sensitivity through Large-Scale Sample Pooling Using a Nano-Hybrid Membrane.Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 2025Article
- Reagent efficiency and analytical sensitivity optimization for a reliable SARS-CoV-2 pool-based testing strategy.Heliyon · 2025Article
- Novel sampling strategy for regular nucleic acid testing in low risk areas during epidemics.Scientific reports · 2024Article
- Optimization of Screening Strategies for COVID-19: Scoping Review.JMIR public health and surveillance · 2024Article
- Transdisciplinary research before, during and after COVID-19 vaccination in Chile: a virtuoso collaboration with future perspectives.Frontiers in public health · 2024Review
- The experience and reflections of GC labs as an independent clinical laboratory to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea.BMC infectious diseases · 2023Article
- Sample pooling and incurred samples improve analytical throughput and quality control of lipophilic phycotoxins screening in bivalve mollusks.Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry · 2023Article
- Evaluation of sample pooling for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in a resource-limited setting, Dominican Republic.Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica (English ed.) · 2023Article
- How optimal allocation of limited testing capacity changes epidemic dynamics.Journal of theoretical biology · 2022Article
- Country-specific optimization strategy for testing through contact tracing can help maintain a low reproduction number ([Formula: see text]) during unlock.Scientific reports · 2022Article
- Evaluation of sample pooling using the SAMBA II SARS-CoV-2 test.Journal of virological methods · 2022Article
- SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR testing of pooled saliva samples: A case study of 824 asymptomatic individuals and a questionnaire survey in Japan.PloS one · 2022Article
- Pooled Specimen Testing Using Automated Cartridge-Based System for COVID-19: The Cost on Sensitivity.The Malaysian journal of medical sciences : MJMS · 2021Article
- Saving Resources: SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostics by Real-Time RT-PCR Using Reduced Reaction Volumes.Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021Article
- Pooled Testing Strategies for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis: A comprehensive review.Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease · 2021Review
- Pooling Nasopharyngeal Swab Specimens to Improve Testing Capacity for SARS-CoV-2 by Real-Time RT-PCR.Biological procedures online · 2021Article
- Sample pooling: burden or solution?Clinical microbiology and infection : the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases · 2021Review
- Optimizing noninvasive sampling of a zoonotic bat virus.Ecology and evolution · 2021Article
- Optimal uses of pooled testing for COVID-19 incorporating imperfect test performance and pool dilution effect: An application to congregate settings in Los Angeles County.Journal of medical virology · 2021Article
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
Abstract
Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has reached unprecedented pandemic levels and is affecting almost every country in the world. Ramping up the testing capacity of a country supposes an essential public health response to this new outbreak. A pool testing strategy where multiple samples are tested in a single reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) kit could potentially increase a country's testing capacity. The aim of this study is to propose a simple mathematical model to estimate the optimum number of pooled samples according to the relative prevalence of positive tests in a particular healthcare context, assuming that if a group tests negative, no further testing is done whereas if a group tests positive, all the subjects of the group are retested individually. The model predicts group sizes that range from 11 to 3 subjects. For a prevalence of 10% of positive tests, 40.6% of tests can be saved using testing groups of four subjects. For a 20% prevalence, 17.9% of tests can be saved using groups of three subjects. For higher prevalences, the strategy flattens and loses effectiveness. Pool testing individuals for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is a valuable strategy that could considerably boost a country's testing capacity. However, further studies are needed to address how large these groups can be, without losing sensitivity on the RT-PCR. The strategy best works in settings with a low prevalence of positive tests. It is best implemented in subgroups with low clinical suspicion. The model can be adapted to specific prevalences, generating a tailored to the context implementation of the pool testing strategy.
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