Validation of Laboratory Techniques, Strategies, and Types of Samples for Epidemiological Control in the Covid-19 Pandemic

Validation of Laboratory Techniques, Strategies, and Types of Samples for Epidemiological Control in the Covid-19 Pandemic, Tarija-Bolivia

This is a study of validation for diagnostic techniques used on epidemiological control in the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be carried out in accredited public, private and university clinical laboratories of the collaborator institutions of the project based in Tarija, Bolivia. It is designed as a sectional validation study, using samples from specific groups of participants from the municipality of Tarija grouped according to their category with respect to symptoms and viral load of COVID-19. The sample is selected for convenience.

Inclusion criteria:

• Symptomatic: Subjects with signs and symptoms of respiratory infection less than or equal to 3 days, preferably with clinical and molecular diagnosis compatible with Covid-19.
• Asymptomatics: Subjects who have had direct contact with people infected and who have not shown any symptoms related to Covid-19.
• Negative: Individuals with negative RT-PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 (reference test) who have not manifested any symptoms seven days prior to sampling.

Exclusion criteria:

• Adults under the age of 21 or over 65
• Subjects with a clinical history of autoimmune disease or chemotherapy treatments.
• Subjects who have received transfusions or convalescent plasma in the last month prior to enrollment.
• Subjects with prior diagnosis of other infectious diseases such as, but not limited to AIDS, Hepatitis B or C, Tuberculosis, or any other ongoing or unresolved diseases.
• Subjects with malformation or oncological pathology of the upper respiratory track that may hinder sample collection, including but not limited to deviated septum, allergic rhinitis.
• Subjects who have not signed or can not sign the informed consent form
• Subjects not able to provide their complete information or access to their clinical history.