Impact of COVID-19 pre-test probability on positive predictive value of high cycle threshold SARS-CoV-2 real-time reverse transcription PCR test results.
Jonathan B GubbayHeather RilkoffHeather L KristjansonJessica D ForbesMichelle MurtiAliReza EshaghiGeorge BroukhanskiAntoine CorbeilNahuel FittipaldiJessica P HopkinsErik KristjansonJulianne V KusLiane MacdonaldAnna MajuryGustavo V MalloTony MazzulliRoberto G MelanoRomy OlshaStephen J PerusiniVanessa TranVanessa G AllenSamir N PatelPublished in: Infection control and hospital epidemiology (2021)
Large-scale SARS-CoV-2 screening testing initiatives among low pre-test probability populations should be evaluated thoroughly prior to implementation given the risk of false positives and consequent potential for harm at the individual and population level.