Use to detect the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

ARUP’s nucleic acid amplification (NAA) testing is designed to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in respiratory specimens. It is recommended for patients who meet the CDC’s clinical and epidemiologic criteria for COVID-19 testing. The testing is specific to SARS-CoV-2 and does not detect any additional coronaviruses.

SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) by NAA Test

Test: SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) by NAA (3002638)

Saliva Specimens Now Accepted

Saliva was recently validated as an additional specimen type for the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) by NAA test. Saliva specimens were found to provide results equivalent to those obtained with nasopharyngeal swab specimens in a study performed by ARUP and the University of Utah and reported in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology. To date, this is the largest published study examining saliva as a sample type for COVID-19 diagnostic testing.  

The ability to utilize saliva specimens provides many advantages for both patients and healthcare providers. Collection of saliva does not rely on swabs, which have been in short supply during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is more comfortable and less invasive than specimen collection using nasopharyngeal swabs. 

Patient saliva is collected by having the patient spit into a sterile funnel attached to a sample tube, provide saliva to the fill line (saliva should not surpass fill line), securely fasten the lid, and then hand the collection tube to the healthcare provider. This method reduces healthcare professionals’ risk of exposure during the collection process. The saliva specimen must be collected in the presence of a healthcare provider.

All ARUP COVID-19 NAA testing platforms have been validated for use with saliva samples collected using ARUP saliva collection kits. The ability to utilize all test platforms allows ARUP to maintain a fast turnaround time for these tests. ARUP clients that are currently receiving collection supplies may begin ordering the new saliva collection kit and submit patient specimens for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) by NAA testing.

Please contact Client Services if you are a client and would like to start utilizing our new collection kit.

Methodology

ARUP’s COVID-19 NAA assays are Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) assays when performed on nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, or nasal swab specimens. These assays are performed on three different platforms. Two tests, a reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test and a transcription-mediated amplification test (Aptima), are manufactured by Hologic and run on the Panther system. A third test, an RT-PCR, is manufactured by Roche and run on the Cobas 6800 system. Our fourth test is another RT-PCR and uses the Thermo Fisher TaqPath on Thermo Fisher instrumentation. Utilization of multiple platforms helps ensure continuity of high-volume testing.

Results Reporting

Test results are reported to our clients as “detected,” “not detected,” “invalid,” or “inconclusive.” Please note that a result of “detected” is no longer being considered a critical result, so the results will no longer be called directly to the client. Test results are made immediately available in ARUP Connect.

Sensitivity and Specificity

The Hologic, Roche, and Thermo Fisher testing platforms have equivalent sensitivity and specificity performance characteristics.

Pricing

The price of our COVID-19 by NAA test (3002638) is $95 to our hospital and laboratory clients. ARUP does not charge patients directly for laboratory services.

Fact Sheets