False-Positive Results of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR in Oropharyngeal Swabs From Vaccinators

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 d...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xiang-Qi Kong, Yong-Jing Wang, Zan-Xi Fang, Tian-Ci Yang, Man-Li Tong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2022-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2022.847407/full
Description
Summary: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.
ISSN:2296-858X