Internal Control Failure in SARS-CoV-2 PCR, Technical vs specimen Etiology

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic was global threat and preventing the re-pandemic considered the main target nowadays in many of healthcare commissions. Early and rapid diagnosis was achieved by PCR testing for COVID-19, against this concept was the rejection and or reptation of testing because of failure of processing mainly due to internal control failure (ICF).  The objective of our study was emerged to find out the main cause of Internal Control Failure in SARS-CoV-2 PCR, and whether it caused mainly by Technical or Specimen Etiology.50 specimens of SARS-CoV-2 PCR were used with their original testing result were of Internal Control Failure then repeated to conclude whether it caused by Technical (the second reading gave a valid result) or Specimen Etiology (the second reading gave a ICF result). The result was highly significant. (p < .05).   comparing the valid second result (technical causes) to ICF second result (specimen causes). We concluded that technical causes of ICF was the main cause of ICF result of PCR testing for COVID-19 with minimal specimen etiological cause that could recommend to interpret the result t of positive or negative from first reading with commenting on ICF with repetition especially in valid run and urgent specimen.