What Is the Predictive Value of a Single Nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 PCR Swab Test in a Patient With COVID-Like Symptoms and/or Significant COVID-19 Exposure?

Open Forum Infect Dis. 2020 Sep 1;7(10):ofaa399. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofaa399. eCollection 2020 Oct.

Abstract

Utilizing results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and subsequent antibody titers, we report on the test characteristics of a PCR screening test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 among hospital workers. The PCR test was found to be 87% sensitive and 97% specific, with a positive predictive value of 0.98 and a negative predictive value of 0.80.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; nasopharyngeal PCR swab.