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. 2020 Sep;95(9):1942-1945.
doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.06.020. Epub 2020 Jul 4.

Low Utility of Repeat Real-Time PCR Testing for SARS-CoV-2 in Clinical Specimens

Douglas W Challener  1 , Aditya Shah  2 , John C O'Horo  3 , Elie Berbari  2 , Matthew J Binnicker  4 , Aaron J Tande  2
Affiliations

Low Utility of Repeat Real-Time PCR Testing for SARS-CoV-2 in Clinical Specimens

Douglas W Challener et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

In a multicenter cohort of 22,315 patients tested for COVID-19, 1676 (7.5%) had repeat testing via real-time polymerase chain reaction following an initial negative test. Of those retested within 7 days of their first negative test, only 2.0% had a positive result. This suggests that repeat testing from the same source is unlikely to provide additional information.

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Comment in

  • Repeated Testing in SARS-CoV-2 Infection.
    Lippi G, Sanchis-Gomar F, Henry BM. Lippi G, et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2020 Oct;95(10):2283-2284. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.08.007. Epub 2020 Aug 10. Mayo Clin Proc. 2020. PMID: 33012357 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • In Reply-Repeated Testing in SARS-CoV-2 Infection.
    Shah A, O'Horo JC, Berbari EF, Tande A, Challener D, Binnicker MJ. Shah A, et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2020 Oct;95(10):2284-2285. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.08.006. Epub 2020 Aug 10. Mayo Clin Proc. 2020. PMID: 33012358 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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