Kong XQ, Wang YJ, Fang ZX, Yang TC, Tong ML. False-Positive Results of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR in Oropharyngeal Swabs From Vaccinators.
Front Med (Lausanne) 2022;
9:847407. [PMID:
35755058 PMCID:
PMC9226675 DOI:
10.3389/fmed.2022.847407]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard for diagnosing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, RT-PCR may yield false-positive results, leading to unnecessary countermeasures. Here, we report a “positive” nucleic acid test on a 10-pooled sample during the routine screening that caused many adverse societal effects, and financial and resource losses. However, they were subsequently determined to be a case of vaccine contamination. This case study increases awareness of false-positive RT-PCR results for SARS-CoV-2, especially when participants are vaccinators. Moreover, it could provide relevant suggestions to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
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