Sarah Tunkel
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View article: Climate change and diagnostic samples - Opening Pandora's (post) box
Climate change and diagnostic samples - Opening Pandora's (post) box Open
The changing climate and evolving models of healthcare delivery-particularly the move toward near-patient and home-based diagnostics-require a rethinking of how we assure the quality and reliability of biological samples in transit. Existi…
View article: Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow device sensitivity: a comparison of systematic laboratory assessments with manufacturer-reported sensitivity
Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow device sensitivity: a comparison of systematic laboratory assessments with manufacturer-reported sensitivity Open
This study was funded by UK Department of Health and Social Care; UK Health Security Agency (formerly Public Health England and the National Health Service Test and Trace); and the University of Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre.
View article: Multiplex lateral flow test sensitivity and specificity in detecting influenza A, B and SARS-CoV-2 in adult patients in a UK emergency department
Multiplex lateral flow test sensitivity and specificity in detecting influenza A, B and SARS-CoV-2 in adult patients in a UK emergency department Open
Background Rapid identification of individuals with acute respiratory infections is crucial for preventing nosocomial infections. For rapid diagnosis, especially in EDs, lateral flow devices (LFDs) are a convenient, inexpensive option with…
View article: Effectiveness and user experience of nose and throat swabbing techniques for SARS-CoV-2 detection: results from the UK COVID-19 National Testing Programme
Effectiveness and user experience of nose and throat swabbing techniques for SARS-CoV-2 detection: results from the UK COVID-19 National Testing Programme Open
Background The UK’s National Health Service Test and Trace (NHSTT) program aimed to provide the most effective and accessible SARS-CoV-2 testing approach possible. Early user feedback indicated that there were accessibility issues associat…
View article: Comparative evaluation of swabbing sites for Omicron variant detection in PCR testing
Comparative evaluation of swabbing sites for Omicron variant detection in PCR testing Open
Combined nose and throat swabbing remains the most effective method for SARS-CoV-2 detection. If a single swab is used, a throat swab has a higher sensitivity than nose swabs, although VC in the throat decreases faster in later infection s…
View article: Double testing with lateral flow antigen test devices for COVID-19: does a second test in quick succession add value?
Double testing with lateral flow antigen test devices for COVID-19: does a second test in quick succession add value? Open
LFD tests were highly reproducible even when they were performed by untrained users following only written instructions and without supervision. While performing two LFD tests of the same type in quick succession marginally increased sensi…
View article: Can self-testing be enhanced to hasten safe return of healthcare workers in pandemics? Random order, open label trial using two manufacturers’ SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow devices concurrently
Can self-testing be enhanced to hasten safe return of healthcare workers in pandemics? Random order, open label trial using two manufacturers’ SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow devices concurrently Open
Background Covid-19 healthcare worker testing, isolation and quarantine policies had to balance risks to patients from the virus and from staff absence. The emergence of the Omicron variant led to dangerous levels of key-worker absence glo…
View article: Can self-testing be enhanced to hasten safe return of healthcare workers in pandemics? Random order, open label trial using two manufacturers’ SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow devices concurrently
Can self-testing be enhanced to hasten safe return of healthcare workers in pandemics? Random order, open label trial using two manufacturers’ SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow devices concurrently Open
Background Covid-19 healthcare worker testing, isolation and quarantine policies had to balance risks to patients from the virus and from staff absence. The emergence of the Omicron variant led to dangerous levels of key-worker absence glo…
View article: Faster detection of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases among care home staff in England through the combination of SARS-CoV-2 testing technologies
Faster detection of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases among care home staff in England through the combination of SARS-CoV-2 testing technologies Open
To detect SARS-CoV-2 amongst asymptomatic care home staff in England, a dual-technology weekly testing regime was introduced on 23 December 2020. A lateral flow device (LFD) and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction …
View article: Rapid antigen testing for SARS-CoV-2 by lateral flow assay: A field evaluation of self- and professional testing at UK community testing sites
Rapid antigen testing for SARS-CoV-2 by lateral flow assay: A field evaluation of self- and professional testing at UK community testing sites Open
Our results support SARS-CoV-2 self-testing with LFDs, especially for the detection of individuals whose qRT-PCR tests showed high viral concentrations.
View article: PCR testing of traced contacts for SARS-CoV-2 in England, January to July 2021
PCR testing of traced contacts for SARS-CoV-2 in England, January to July 2021 Open
Background The NHS Test and Trace (NHSTT) programme was established in May 2020 in England to deliver SARS-CoV-2 testing and contact tracing in order to identify infected individuals and reduce COVID-19 spread. To further control transmiss…
View article: The evaluation of a multi-day testing approach with antigen lateral flow devices for people eligible for community-based COVID-19 treatments
The evaluation of a multi-day testing approach with antigen lateral flow devices for people eligible for community-based COVID-19 treatments Open
Synopsis Background COVID-19 therapeutics including antiviral and monoclonal antibody treatments (hereafter ‘COVID-19 treatments’) require rapid administration to be effective. As part of the community-based antiviral and therapeutic treat…
View article: Comparison of the performance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA qRT-PCR testing based on expectorated and drooled saliva samples
Comparison of the performance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA qRT-PCR testing based on expectorated and drooled saliva samples Open
Purpose Saliva has been considered a suitable sample material for SARS-CoV-2 testing but uncertainty remained regarding the sensitivity and reliability of different saliva collection methods for community mass testing. This study aimed to …
View article: Performance of antigen lateral flow devices in the United Kingdom during the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron waves of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
Performance of antigen lateral flow devices in the United Kingdom during the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron waves of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic Open
Background Antigen lateral flow devices (LFDs) have been widely used to control SARS-CoV-2. Changes in LFD sensitivity and detection of infectious individuals during the pandemic with successive variants, vaccination, and changes in LFD us…
View article: A cluster randomised trial of the impact of a policy of daily testing for contacts of COVID-19 cases on attendance and COVID-19 transmission in English secondary schools and colleges
A cluster randomised trial of the impact of a policy of daily testing for contacts of COVID-19 cases on attendance and COVID-19 transmission in English secondary schools and colleges Open
Summary Background School-based COVID-19 contacts in England are asked to self-isolate at home. However, this has led to large numbers of missed school days. Therefore, we trialled daily testing of contacts as an alternative, to investigat…