In:
PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 17, No. 2 ( 2022-2-14), p. e0262631-
Abstract:
There is an increasing need for rapid, reliable, non-invasive, and inexpensive mass testing methods as the global COVID-19 pandemic continues. Detection dogs could be a possible solution to identify individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2. Previous studies have shown that dogs can detect SARS-CoV-2 on sweat samples. This study aims to establish the dogs’ sensitivity (true positive rate) which measures the proportion of people with COVID-19 that are correctly identified, and specificity (true negative rate) which measures the proportion of people without COVID-19 that are correctly identified. Seven search and rescue dogs were tested using a total of 218 axillary sweat samples (62 positive and 156 negative) in olfaction cones following a randomised and double-blind protocol. Sensitivity ranged from 87% to 94%, and specificity ranged from 78% to 92%, with four dogs over 90%. These results were used to calculate the positive predictive value and negative predictive value for each dog for different infection probabilities (how likely it is for an individual to be SARS-CoV-2 positive), ranging from 10–50%. These results were compared with a reference diagnostic tool which has 95% specificity and sensitivity. Negative predictive values for six dogs ranged from ≥98% at 10% infection probability to ≥88% at 50% infection probability compared with the reference tool which ranged from 99% to 95%. Positive predictive values ranged from ≥40% at 10% infection probability to ≥80% at 50% infection probability compared with the reference tool which ranged from 68% to 95%. This study confirms previous results, suggesting that dogs could play an important role in mass-testing situations. Future challenges include optimal training methods and standardisation for large numbers of detection dogs and infrastructure supporting their deployment.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1932-6203
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0262631
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0262631.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0262631.g002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0262631.g003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0262631.g004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0262631.g005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0262631.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0262631.t002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0262631.t003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0262631.t004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0262631.t005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0262631.t006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0262631.t007
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2267670-3
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