Massive Rhinorrhea as a Complication of COVID-19 Nasopharyngeal Swab

The nasopharyngeal swab for COVID-19 testing is generally considered safe;however, it is primarily performed by staff that may not completely understand the anatomy of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx. We report the treatment of a 48-year-old man who developed unilateral left rhinorrhea after a nasopharyngeal swab sample. It is aimed to draw attention to this complication that can be prevented with the appropriate technique during nasopharyngeal swab sampling.

国外Swabbing Equipment抽汲装置研究

在试油作业中,为求目的层产量等参数时,若地层能量不足以使油井自喷,则采取抽汲等方式进行诱喷或求产。国外试油过程中抽汲作业多采用油管内抽汲,Swabbing Equipment抽汲装置具有结构简单、安全系数和抽汲效率高的优点,值得国内从事试油工作者借鉴和参考。

A study of female genital swabs in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Objective:To detect some common microbial agents of vaginal discharge and improve the current syndromic management of abnormal vaginal discharge.Methods:A prospective study of female genital swabs collected from obstetrics and gynecology units of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital,Kano,Nigeria and an analysed of microscopy,culture and sensitivity in the medical microbiology and parasitology laboratory of this hospital were conducted from December 2007 to December 2008.Data on epidemiologic indices were collected from the patients,using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires.Results:Eight hundred and forty Candida species were detected,constituting 60%(n=840) of 1 400 female genital discharge samples of microbial etiology in a total of 2 000 female genital samples received.The distribution of vaginal candidiasis was tbe highest in young adults aged 21 to 30 years with 43%(n=360) of the total 840 cases. Pregnant women that presented with vaginal candidiasis constituted 40%(n=360) of the total 840 cases.Other risk groups included the immuno-suppression with 24%(n=202),group on hormonal therapy with 15%(n=126) and broad spectrum antibiotics users with 16%(n=134).Conclusions: The results show that Candida is the most common cause of vaginitis and vulvo-vaginal candidiasis followed by C.albicans in the young adults aged 21 to 30 years,pregnant mothers, immuno-suppression,contraceptive and broad spectrum antibiotic users.Proper management of vaginal candidiasis and vulvo-vaginal candidiasis is recommended especially among the risk groups in order to avoid complications and reduce HIV transmission.

Swab culture monitoring of automated endoscope reprocessors after high-level disinfection

AIM:To conduct a bacterial culture study for monitoring decontamination of automated endoscope reprocessors(AERs) after high-level disinfection(HLD).METHODS:From February 2006 to January 2011,authors conducted randomized consecutive sampling each month for 7 AERs.Authors collected a total of 420 swab cultures,including 300 cultures from 5 gastroscope AERs,and 120 cultures from 2 colonoscope AERs.Swab cultures were obtained from the residual water from the AERs after a full reprocessing cycle.Samples were cultured to test for aerobic bacteria,anaerobic bacteria,and mycobacterium tuberculosis.RESULTS:The positive culture rate of the AERs was 2.0%(6/300) for gastroscope AERs and 0.8%(1/120) for colonoscope AERs.All the positive cultures,including 6 from gastroscope and 1 from colonoscope AERs,showed monofloral colonization.Of the gastroscopeAER samples,50%(3/6) were colonized by aerobic bacterial and 50%(3/6) by fungal contaminations.CONCLUSION:A full reprocessing cycle of an AER with HLD is adequate for disinfection of the machine.Swab culture is a useful method for monitoring AER decontamination after each reprocessing cycle.Fungal contamination of AERs after reprocessing should also be kept in mind.

Endocervical Swab Microbial Isolates among Women with Third Degree Uterovaginal Prolapse

Background: Uterovaginal prolapse is the descent of the uterus through the vaginal canal. This may be a predisposing factor to infections in the urogenital system. This study aimed to assess the endocervical swab microscopy, culture and sensitivity in patients with third degree uterovaginal prolapse at the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Abakaliki, South-East Nigeria. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional prospective study to assess the endocervical swab microbial findings in patients with third degree uterovaginal prolapse using simple random sampling technique. Data on sociodemographic variables, risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse, and endocervical swab findings among women with third degree uterovaginal prolapse were collated and analysed using statistical methods. Results: The mean age and parity were 50.5 years ± 9.1 and 6.7 ± 2.0 respectively. Thirty-six (85.7%) of the clients were grandmultipara and 37 (88.1%) were farmers. Pus cells were present in all samples while 27 (64.3%) had microbial isolates. Streptococcus pyogenes was isolated in 7 (16.7%), Streptococcus faecalis in 5 (11.9%), Escherichia coli in 5 (11.9), Staphylococcus aureus in 4 (9.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae in 2 (4.8%) and Yeast cells in 4 (9.5%) of the endocervical swabs. All isolates were sensitive to gentamicin. Bacterial isolates were resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Conclusion: This study showed growth of pathogenic organisms from the endocervix of women with third degree uterovaginal prolapse. A 100% sensitivity to gentamicin was observed in the study.

Association of the microbial culture of follicular fluid,vaginal swab and catheter tip with β-hCG IVF positive and negative

Objective:To find out the association of microbial contamination withβ-human chorionic gonadotropin(β-hCG)in-vitro fertilization(IVF)positive and negative.Methods:A total of 73 fresh IVF cycle women were included in the retrospective study.Vaginal swab culture samples were collected prior to ovum pick-up and embryo transfer.The follicular fluids were collected during ovum pick-up and catheter tip culture samples were collected after successful embryo transfer.After 14 days of the embryo transfer,women were classified intoβ-hCG IVF positive and negative.The comparative statistical analyses of aerobic microbial culture reports were done betweenβ-hCG IVF positive and negative women.Results:Out of 73 women,42(57.5%)were found to beβ-hCG IVF positive and 31(43.5%)were negative.In the aerobic culture of ovum pick-up vaginal swab,follicular fluid,embryo transplantation vaginal swab and catheter tip,Enterococcus faecalis was found to be higher compared to other bacteria(Streptococcus spp.,Candida,Escherichia coli and Klebsiella).Regarding the comparison between IVF positive and negative,the overall microbial infection rate of vaginal swab culture during ovum pick-up and embryo transplantation was found to be higher in IVF negative women than in IVF positive women(38.71%vs.28.57%);however,it was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The follicular fluid and catheter tip culture microbial infection rate was found to slightly higher in IVF positive women than in IVF negative women(54.76%vs.41.94%and 19.05%vs.9.68%,respectively),but there were not significant differences(P>0.05).Conclusions:The aerobic microbial culture reports of follicular fluid,vaginal swab culture,and catheter tip culture are not statistically significantly withβ-hCG IVF positive.

COVID-19 Pandemic Waves in Italy: An Epidemiological Overview about Infections, Swabs and Death Rates

Introduction: On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the entire World was overrun by a pandemic. Science has managed, in a short time, to characterize a new disease, sequence a new viral genome, develop diagnostics, produce treatment protocols and establish the efficacy of drugs and vaccines in randomized controlled trials. In this paper we have dealt with different topics regarding the pandemic linked to COVID-19. Objectives: Aim of this paper is to compare the number of deaths attributable to COVID-19, that occurred in the different Italian macro-areas, in the different pandemic waves;we studied the trend of the curves relating to the proportion of deaths to the number of infected in the Italian macro-areas for the pandemic waves and analysed the mortality data, focusing on the Italian context and comparing it with other foreign countries. We examined the data regarding swabs, hospitalizations, home isolation, admissions to intensive care and deaths registered in pandemic period. Results: Geographically, Italy was differently affected by the pandemic. Northern Italy was the most affected area. In comparison with some foreign countries, Italy is one of the nations that paid the most in terms of deaths, due to: delays in understanding the seriousness of the emergency;the slow management in the tracking systems of contagions;the high number of hospitalizations;a corporate organizational system poorly planned. Conclusion: The years 2020 and 2021 have been dramatic and unprecedented. The year 2021 was the year of redemption, where, despite social, economic and health difficulties, thanks to mass vaccination, we were able to give a real strong response to the pandemic. Trust in science has led to a drastic decrease in mortality throughout the world.

Detection of Streptococci in the Throat Swabs from Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Kurdistan Region

The study was conducted for the detection of streptococcus bacteria of two groups of people with pharyngitis and tonsillitis. All the plates with α-haemolytic and β-haemolytic colonies were identified by conventional methods. β-haemolytic colonies was further identified by observing its sensitivity towards bacitracin disc tested on sheep blood agar plate. Alpha-hemolytic colonies on blood agar plate were identified with optchin disc. Different bacteria which included Streptococcus pyogenes, S. agalactiae, S. pnenmoniae and S. celis that had proportions 48.57%, 51.43%, 59.1% and 40.9% respectively isolated by the sensitivity test （depends on agents bacitracin and optchin）. Isolates of beta-Streptococcal which included S. pyogenes at child group （A） and the isolates alpha- Streptococcal which included S. pnenmoniae at adults group （B） showed marked rise.

3M Quick Swab与常规涂抹棒使用效果的研究

[目的]比较3M Quick Swab与常规涂抹棒的使用效果。[方法]1、用大肠杆菌菌悬液模拟污染后的环境,然后用新洁尔灭进行消毒,用生理盐水、缓冲蛋白胨水(BPW)和3MQuick Swab使用的李肉汤(LetheenBroth)三种培养液的涂抹棒进行涂抹,观察不同培养液对大肠菌群的检出效果;2、把含等量大肠杆菌的3M Quick Swab棉签和普通棉签同时放入生理盐水中,观察3MQuick Swab和普通棉签头对大肠菌群释放的稳定性和回收率。[结果]3MQuick Swab能够有效的中和消毒剂,修复受损的细胞,且对大肠菌群释放的稳定性好且回收率高。[结论]3M Quick Swab比普通的涂抹棒的使用效果好,更适用于消毒场所的涂抹实验。

Visual Positioning of Nasal Swab Robot Based on Hierarchical Decision

This study focuses on a robot vision localization method for coping with the operational task ofautomatic nasal swab sampling. The application is important in the detection and epidemic prevention of CoronaVirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) to alleviate the large-scale negative impact of individuals suffering from pneumoniaowing to COVID-19. In this method, the idea of a hierarchical decision network is used to consider the stronginfectious characteristics of the COVID-19, which is followed by processing the robot behavior constraint condition.The visual navigation and positioning method using a single-arm robot for sampling is also planned, whichconsiders the operation characteristics of medical staff. In the decision network, the risk factor for potentialcontact infection caused by swab sampling operations is established to avoid the spread among personnel. A robotvisual servo control with artificial intelligence characteristics is developed to achieve a stable and safe nasal swabsampling operation. Experiments demonstrate that the proposed method can achieve good vision positioning forthe robots and provide technical support for managing new major public health situations.

Use of eschar swab DNA to diagnose Rickettsia conorii subspecies conorii infection in Crimea:A case report

Mediterranean spotted fever(MSF)has been diagnosed clinically in the Crimean Peninsula since the 1930s.We describe the recent illness of an elderly patient from Crimea who had developed a classic triad of MSF symptoms consisting of fever,maculopapular rash,and eschar.Clinical diagnosis of rickettsiosis was confirmed using real-time PCR and sequencing of 4 Rickettsia protein genes.The strain causing clinical illness was characterized as Rickettsia conorii subspecies conorii Malish 7.This report corroborates the utility of eschar swab material as a source of DNA for PCR-based diagnostics that enables timely patient treatment and management.

胎膜早破孕妇阴道微生态和胎盘分离菌及耐药性分析

目的 比较胎膜早破和正常破裂孕妇孕晚期(孕35~37周)阴道微生态、胎盘拭子细菌分布和耐药性情况,为临床预防和治疗提供病原学依据。方法 收集甘肃省妇幼保健院产科2020年1月1日至2022年6月30日胎盘拭子培养结果,将培养阳性的孕妇分成胎膜早破组和正常破裂组,比较两组基本临床特征及孕晚期阴道微生态、胎盘分离菌和药敏结果。结果 两组孕周、年龄、细菌性阴道病和正常微生态情况差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);多因素Logistic回归分析显示孕周(β=-0.711,OR=0.491)和正常微生态(β=-1.412,OR=4.103)与胎膜早破发生呈负相关,年龄(β=0.076,OR=1.079)呈正相关,细菌性阴道病的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。两组胎盘主要分离菌为革兰阴性杆菌,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),以大肠埃希菌为主,检出率差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),胎膜早破组产超广谱β-内酰胺酶比例较高,对氨苄西林、头孢类耐药性高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);其次是革兰阳性球菌(粪肠球菌和无乳链球菌为主),差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。无乳链球菌对青霉素类、糖肽类等敏感,对喹诺酮类耐药率较高;粪肠球菌对青霉素类、糖肽类、恶唑烷酮类等敏感,对红霉素和克林霉素的耐药性较高。结论 胎膜早破组年龄偏大且孕周小,孕晚期易发生阴道微生态异常,其胎盘拭子大肠埃希菌检出率、对青霉素和头孢类抗生素耐药性较高。

Prevalence and features of SARS-CoV-2 infection in prisons in Tuscany

BACKGROUND Prisons can be a reservoir for infectious diseases,including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),due to the very intimate nature of the living spaces and the large number of people forced to share them.AIM To investigate the SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology in prisons,this study evaluated the infection incidence rate in prisoners who underwent nasopharyngeal swabs.METHODS This is an observational cohort study.Data collection included information on prisoners who underwent nasopharyngeal swab testing for SARS-CoV-2 and the results.Nasopharyngeal swab tests for SARS-CoV-2 were performed between 15 February 2021 and 31 May 2021 for prisoners with symptoms and all new arrivals to the facility.Another section included information on the diagnosis of the disease according to the International Classification of Diseases,Ninth Revision,and Clinical Modification.RESULTS Up until the 31 May 2021,79.2%of the prisoner cohort(n=1744)agreed to a nasopharyngeal swab test(n=1381).Of these,1288 were negative(93.3%)and 85 were positive(6.2%).A significant association[relative risk(RR)]was found only for the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among foreigners compared to Italians[RR=2.4,95%confidence interval(CI):1.2-4.8].A positive association with SARS-CoV-2 infection was also found for inmates with at least one nervous system disorder(RR=4,95%CI:1.8-9.1).The SARS-CoV-2 incidence rate among prisoners is significantly lower than in the general population in Tuscany(standardized incidence ratio 0.7,95%CI:0.6-0.9).CONCLUSION In the prisoner cohort,screening and rapid access to health care for the immigrant population were critical to limiting virus transmission and subsequent morbidity and mortality in this vulnerable population.

乳牙机用镍钛锉联合超声荡洗在乳磨牙根管治疗中的应用效果

目的:分析乳牙机用镍钛锉联合超声荡洗在乳磨牙根管治疗中的应用效果。方法:选取2022年12月—2024年1月于青海红十字医院行乳磨牙根管治疗患儿80例作为研究对象,随机分为对照组和观察组,各40例。对照组实施传统根管治疗,观察组实施乳牙机用镍钛锉联合超声荡洗治疗。比较两组治疗效果、并发症发生率及填充效果。结果:观察组治疗总有效率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P=0.043);观察组并发症发生率低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P=0.038);观察组填充成功率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P=0.007)。结论:乳牙机用镍钛锉联合超声荡洗在乳磨牙根管治疗中具有较好的临床效果,能够降低患儿并发症发生率,提高填充效果。

自助鼻咽灌洗采集病毒核酸样本装置的临床应用

目的探讨自助鼻咽灌洗采集病毒核酸样本装置和方法的可行性。方法选取2021年10月25日至11月30日邵阳市中心医院儿科发热门诊和呼吸内科住院部56例上呼吸道感染发热患者作为研究对象,采用前后自身对照,通过两种核酸样本采集方法对同一受试者进行核酸样本采集。使用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应方法检测分析乙型流感病毒核酸阳性率、扩增循环阈值数,记录每例采集时间。比较两种方法的阳性率、扩增循环阈值数、采集时间及诊断效率。结果两组的核酸检测阳性率、扩增循环阈值数比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。自助鼻咽灌洗单个采集时间短于鼻咽拭子,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);自助鼻咽灌洗采集法和鼻咽拭子采集法两者诊断效率具有高度一致性(Kappa值=0.769)。结论自助鼻咽灌洗采集病毒核酸在临床中是可行的,不仅适用于乙型流感的诊断,同样适用于各种呼吸道感染性疾病。

阿奇霉素联合大剂量维生素C治疗儿童肺炎支原体肺炎的临床效果及对外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、炎性因子及相关蛋白的影响

目的探讨阿奇霉素联合大剂量维生素C(VC)治疗儿童肺炎支原体肺炎(MPP)的临床效果及对外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、血清白细胞介素(IL)-17、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)及外周血单个核细胞E2相关因子2(Nrf2)蛋白和咽拭子P1蛋白的影响。方法选取2020年6月—2023年6月收治的240例MPP患儿作为观察对象,随机分为大剂量VC组、小剂量VC组和对照组,每组80例。对照组予以阿奇霉素治疗,小剂量VC组予以阿奇霉素+小剂量VC治疗,大剂量VC组予以阿奇霉素+大剂量VC治疗,3组均治疗2周。记录3组患儿临床疗效、临床症状持续时间。采集3组治疗前后空腹静脉血和咽拭子。采用流式细胞术检测外周血T淋巴细胞亚群(CD3^(+)、CD4^(+)、CD8^(+)、CD4^(+)/CD8^(+));采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测血清IL-17、hs-CRP、VC;采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(qRT-PCR)检测外周血单个核细胞Nrf2蛋白和咽拭子P1蛋白mRNA表达水平。记录并对比3组治疗期间不良反应发生情况。结果治疗后,大剂量VC组和小剂量VC组发热、咳嗽咯痰、肺部湿啰音持续时间和住院时间均短于对照组,大剂量VC组退热、咳嗽咯痰、肺部湿啰音持续时间和住院时间均短于小剂量VC组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。3组患儿外周血T淋巴细胞亚群CD3^(+)、CD4^(+)、CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)水平均较治疗前升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);大剂量VC组CD3^(+)、CD4^(+)、CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)水平均高于小剂量VC组和对照组,小剂量VC组CD4^(+)水平高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。3组血清IL-17、hs-CRP水平均较治疗前下降,大剂量VC组血清IL-17、hs-CRP水平均低于小剂量VC和对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);小剂量VC组IL-17、hs-CRP水平与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。大剂量VC组和小剂量VC组血清VC水平较治疗前上升,且大剂量VC组血清VC水平高于小剂量VC组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。小剂量VC组IL-17、hs-CRP水平与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。3组外周血单个核细胞Nrf2、咽拭子P1蛋白mRNA表达水平均较治疗前下降,且大剂量VC组Nrf2 mRNA表达水平高于小剂量VC组和对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。3组PI蛋白mRNA表达水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。3组患儿治疗期间均未出现明显不良反应。结论阿奇霉素联合大剂量VC可有效改善MPP患儿临床症状,提高免疫力,降低IL-17、hs-CRP水平,维持Nrf2 mRNA水平,提高临床疗效,且安全性较高。

儿童上呼吸道感染咽拭子标本细菌培养结果及耐药性分析

目的探究某院儿童上呼吸道感染咽拭子标本细菌培养结果及耐药性。方法将2019年8月~2022年9月河南黄河科技学院附属医院收治的上呼吸道感染患儿1053例纳入研究,所有患儿均进行咽拭子标本细菌培养与药敏试验,分析其培养结果及耐药性。结果咽拭子标本涂片质量中,A级共125例,阳性率49.6%;B级共531例,阳性率16.01%;C级共305例,阳性率6.23%;D级92例,阳性率1.09%。1053例咽拭子标本检出阳性167例,检出率为15.86%(167/1053),其中革兰阳性菌检出121株,检出率为72.46%(121/167),革兰阴性菌检出46株,检出率为27.54%(46/167)。本次无真菌检出。革兰阳性菌中金黄色葡萄球菌检出率最高为88.43%,革兰阴性菌中大肠埃希菌检出率最高为43.48%。金黄色葡萄球菌对红霉素耐药性最高,为74.77%,对万古霉素、替考拉宁的敏感性均为100%;铜绿假单胞菌对氨苄西林耐药性最高,为100%,对环丙沙星、左氧氟沙星、美洛培南敏感性均为100%。大肠埃希菌对左氧氟沙星耐药性最高,为50%。病原菌耐药菌种的年度趋势分析中,以金黄色葡萄球菌为主,趋势为先增后降,2021年检出率最高;其次为大肠埃希菌,2019年~2021年间分布较为平均,呈现逐年散发态势。肺炎链球菌、溶血葡萄球菌、阴沟肠杆菌、铜绿假单胞菌、肺炎克雷伯菌、流感嗜血菌为年度无序点状发散(P>0.05)。结论对URTI患儿咽拭子细菌培养及药敏试验,可明确敏感抗生素,提高临床抗菌药用药合理性及安全性。

中药冰棒咽部刺激联合神经肌肉电刺激治疗卒中后吞咽障碍患者的效果

目的:探讨中药冰棒咽部刺激联合神经肌肉电刺激治疗卒中后吞咽障碍患者的效果。方法:选取2021年1月至2023年1月该院收治的100例卒中后吞咽障碍患者进行前瞻性研究,按照随机数字表法将其分为研究组与对照组各50例。对照组采用神经肌肉电刺激治疗,研究组在对照组基础上联合中药冰棒咽部刺激治疗。比较两组临床疗效,治疗前后吞咽功能[洼田饮水试验(WST)、吞咽障碍特异性生存质量量表(SWAL-QOL)]评分、舌骨喉复合体动度(吞咽过程中舌骨、甲状软骨前移及上移的距离)、营养指标[血红蛋白(Hb)、白蛋白(ALB)、前白蛋白(PA)]水平,以及不良事件发生率。结果:研究组治疗总有效率为94.00%(47/50),高于对照组的80.00%(40/50),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗后,研究组WST评分低于对照组,SWAL-QOL评分高于对照组,舌骨和甲状软骨前移、上移动度均大于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗后,两组Hb、PA、ALB水平均高于治疗前,且研究组高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);研究组不良事件发生率为4.00%(2/50),低于对照组的16.00%(8/50),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:中药冰棒咽部刺激联合神经肌肉电刺激治疗卒中后吞咽障碍患者可提高舌骨喉复合体动度,促进吞咽功能恢复,改善营养状态,降低不良事件发生率,效果优于单用神经肌肉电刺激治疗。

Anal swab findings in an infant with COVID-19

Introduction: The transmission pathways of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain not completely clear. In this case study the test for the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in pharyngeal swab and anal swab were compared.Case presentation: A 3-month-old girl was admitted to our hospital with COVID-19. Her parents had both been diagnosed with COVID-19. The results of pharyngeal swab and anal swab of the little girl were recorded and compared during the course of the disease. The oropharyngeal specimen showed negative result for SARS-CoV-2 on the 14th day after onset of the illness. However, the anal swab was still positive for SARS-CoV-2 on the 28th day after the onset of the illness.Conclusion: The possibility of fecal-oral transmission of COVID-19 should be assessed. Personal hygiene during home quarantine merits considerable attention.

The sampling efficiencies of commercial nasopharyngeal swabs

Upper respiratory tract samples are the most commonly used samples for coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)diagnosis.The samples collected from the nasopharynx are preferred for viral nucleic acids detection.Commercial nasopharyngeal swabs(NPSs)are the major factor that influences the sampling quality.We here evaluated the acceptability and efficiency of NPSs from five manufacturers by examining the concentration of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene(GAPDH)retrieved from the swabs using the RT-PCR method.Significant different concentrations of GAPDH were detected,ranged from 4.36×10^(8) copies/mL to 6.98×10^(10) copies/mL among the five swabs(P<0.05).The designation of the swab head,with or without tip expansion,had limited influence on the collection efficiency.The discrepancy among the NPSs emphasized the improvement of the swab head material.