JP2023028389A - Infectious disease inspection method, infectious disease inspection test kit and infectious disease testing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an infectious disease inspection method capable of determining whether or not an infected person is included in employees belonging to a facility.SOLUTION: An infectious disease inspection method includes the steps of: storing a mask 1 worn by a user belonging to a group 10 in a collection container 2; sending the mask 1 stored in the collection container 2 to an inspection institute 50; performing sample inspection on a sample 1B derived from the mask 1; and notifying an inspection result 91 which is a result of the sample inspection.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an infectious disease testing method, an infectious disease testing kit, and an infectious disease testing system, and more particularly to a technique for testing for infectious diseases using a mask worn by a subject.

A known technique is to detect viruses, which are pathogens of infectious diseases, contained in sewage by filtering sewage discharged from facilities and performing PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests (Non-Patent Document 1). According to this technique, it is possible to determine whether there are infected persons among the staff of the facility or those who enter and leave the facility.

Lakshmi Supriya, "A different strategy for wastewater detection of SARS-CoV-2", News-Medical.Net biotechnology, 21 February 2021, https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210221/A-different-strategy -for-wastewater-detection-of-SARS-CoV-2.aspx Nandini Sethuraman et al., "Interpreting Diagnostic Tests for SARS-CoV-2", JAMA, Volume 323, Number 22, pp.2249-2251, 9 June 2020, doi:10.1001/jama.2020.8259

However, with this method, it may take time to identify infected persons in facilities where there are frequent visits and exits by people other than regular employees, such as staff members of the facility. The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and its purpose is to provide an infectious disease testing method that facilitates determination of infected persons.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to an infectious disease inspection method using a mask. The infectious disease testing method comprises the steps of: storing the worn masks of users belonging to the group in a collection container; sending the masks stored in the collection container to an inspection agency; performing a sample test on samples derived from the masks; and reporting test results that are the results of the sample test.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to an infectious disease inspection method using a mask. The infectious disease test method includes the steps of storing masks worn by a plurality of users belonging to a group in a collection container, sending the masks to an inspection agency, performing sample inspection on samples derived from the masks, and performing sample inspection. and notifying the group of the result. The step of performing sample inspection includes dividing samples derived from a plurality of masks into inspection subgroups for sample inspection, performing sample inspection collectively on the samples derived from the masks included in each inspection subgroup, and and re-performing the sample test for the samples from each mask included in the test subgroup for which the sample test resulted in a positive test result.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to an infectious disease test kit using a mask. The infectious disease test kit includes a collection container that stores the user's worn mask. When the user puts the worn mask in the collection container and sends the mask in the collection container to the inspection institution, the sample inspection is performed by the inspection institution on the sample derived from the collected mask, and the result of the sample inspection is The user is notified of the inspection results.

A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to an infectious disease inspection method using a mask. The infectious disease testing method includes the steps of performing a sample test on a sample derived from a user's worn mask and obtaining a test result that is the result of the sample test.

A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to an infectious disease inspection method using a mask. The infectious disease testing method comprises the steps of storing the user's worn mask in a collection container, sending the mask to an inspection agency, performing a sample inspection on the sample derived from the mask by the inspection agency, and the results of the sample inspection. and the inspection agency notifying the user of the inspection result.

A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to an infectious disease inspection system using a mask. An infectious disease inspection system includes a collection container, an inspection device, and a notification device. The collection container stores masks already worn by a plurality of users belonging to the group. The inspection device performs a sample inspection on the samples sent from the group and derived from the masks housed in the collection container. A notification device notifies the group of the results of the sample inspection.

According to the present disclosure, masks worn by users belonging to a group (e.g., facility staff) are subjected to a sample test at an inspection agency, and the group is notified of the results of the sample test. Therefore, it can be determined whether or not there is an infected person among the users belonging to the group (for example, facility staff).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure explaining the outline|summary of an infectious disease test|inspection according to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of an infectious disease test|inspection system. It is a flowchart explaining an infectious disease test|inspection method. It is a figure explaining the 1st modification of an infectious disease test|inspection method. It is a figure explaining the 2nd modification of an infectious disease test|inspection method.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[1. Overview of infectious disease testing]
FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining an outline of an infectious disease test according to an embodiment of the present invention. The infectious disease test in the present specification particularly tests for respiratory infections in which pathogens mainly infect the respiratory system. Moreover, in this embodiment, a test for a viral respiratory infection, in which a virus is a pathogen, is exemplified.

Also, the infectious disease test in this specification is performed especially for users belonging to a group. A group is typically a collection of people belonging to a particular facility. Facilities include, for example, companies, offices, school buildings, hospitals, residential facilities, and residences.

In one example, a group is a group of people who routinely work in an institution, such as a company or school. A user in this case is, for example, a staff member or a student.

In another example, a group is a collection of people staying at an institution, such as an aged care facility. In this case, the user includes, for example, a resident of the facility and/or an inpatient in addition to a staff belonging to the facility.

In yet another example, a group is a collection of people who work or stay at multiple facilities where users frequently visit each other, such as multiple locations of a company or the same affiliated facility.

In the following description, a group of people belonging to facility 10 is described as an example of a "group" in the present disclosure. It should be noted that hereinafter, "facility 10" may refer to "group belonging to facility 10".

Referring to FIG. 1, first, the mask 1 worn by the user belonging to the facility 10 is stored in the collection container 2 . A user belonging to the facility 10 is, for example, an employee of the facility. If the user is infected with a viral respiratory infection, the virus 3 will adhere to the mask 1 as the virus is released from the mouth along with droplets. The collection container 2 is, for example, a box-shaped container, a sealable bag, a vial, or a tube.

The worn mask 1 stored in the collection container 2 is sent to an inspection agency 50 . The collection container 2 is stored in, for example, a box 81 and delivered to the inspection agency 50 by the delivery agency 80 . The collection container 2 may be delivered by the inspection agency 50 . Also, the collection container 2 may be delivered by a user belonging to the facility 10 or by an organization affiliated with the facility 10 .

A sample inspection, which is an inspection of the sample 1B originating from the mask 1, is performed in the inspection institution 50 . In the present specification, a sample derived from the mask 1 is a sample derived from the mask 1 and considered to contain the virus 3 if the virus 3 is attached to the mask 1 . Even if the virus 3 contained in the sample 1B is partially missing, it suffices that the virus 3 contains the necessary part for the sample test. Sample 1B may include all or part of mask 1, depending on the type of sample inspection. The sample inspection is performed using an inspection device 5 belonging to, for example, an inspection agency 50 .

When the sample inspection at the inspection institution 50 is completed, the facility 10 is notified of the inspection result, which is the result of the sample inspection. Specifically, for example, an email 91 including the inspection results is sent from the inspection agency 50 to the facility 10 , and the user belonging to the facility 10 confirms the content of the email 91 .

Therefore, according to the infectious disease test shown in FIG. 1, it can be determined whether or not any user belonging to the facility 10 has an infected person.

In addition, the infectious disease test may further include a step in which the testing agency 50 provides at least one of the unused mask 1 and the collection container 2 to the facility 10 . With this configuration, the facility 10 does not have to independently obtain at least one of the mask 1 and the collection container 2, so the time required for obtaining them can be reduced.

In addition, the inspection agency 50 may be configured so that an organization other than the inspection agency 50 performs operations other than the sample inspection accompanying the sample inspection. For example, the task of providing the facility 10 with at least one of the unused mask 1 and the collection container 2 described above may be performed by another institution that cooperates with the inspection institution 50 . Further, for example, the inspection agency 50 may entrust another agency with the facility liaison work of receiving an order for sample inspection from the facility 10 and sending the inspection results of the sample inspection to the facility 10 .

[2. Comparison with conventional example]
Conventionally, a method is known in which effluent from a facility is subjected to a PCR test to detect viral RNA contained in feces of an infected person (Non-Patent Document 1). In this way, it can be determined whether there are infected persons among the staff of the facility or those who enter and leave the facility. On the other hand, this method cannot determine whether the infected person is an employee of the facility.

Therefore, in the infectious disease testing method according to the present embodiment, a mask worn by a user belonging to a facility is sent to a testing agency, and a sample derived from the mask is subjected to sample testing. The inspection agency notifies the facility of the inspection results. Therefore, it can be determined whether or not a user belonging to the facility is an infected person.

In particular, in viral respiratory infections, viruses mainly proliferate in respiratory organs such as the lungs and trachea, causing disease. Furthermore, the virus multiplied in the respiratory tract is expelled as droplets from the nose and mouth, and the infection spreads when it is taken into the mucous membranes of others. The infectious disease testing method according to the present embodiment detects viruses discharged from the nose and mouth and adhering to masks. Therefore, the infectious disease testing method according to the present embodiment is an excellent respiratory infectious disease testing method capable of testing the state of respiratory viral infection, which is the most important respiratory infection.

In addition, Non-Patent Document 2 describes that the virus contained in the feces of a person infected with a new type of coronavirus infection (COVID-19), which is one of the viral respiratory infections, is the virus in the respiratory system. A tendency to be detected late in proliferation is shown. Therefore, by the time the virus is detected in feces, it is possible that the period of peak expression of the virus in the respiratory system, which is considered to be highly infectious, has passed. From this point of view as well, the infectious disease testing method according to the present embodiment for detecting respiratory viral infection is considered to be a suitable method for testing respiratory infectious diseases.

[3. Infectious disease inspection system]
Next, an infectious disease system in which the above-described infectious disease inspection is performed will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the infectious disease system 100. As shown in FIG.

In the example of FIG. 2, the infectious disease system 100 includes a collection container 2 for collecting masks 1, a computer 4, an inspection device 5, a control device 6, and a network 9.

Referring to FIG. 2, mask 1 includes a trapping layer 1A that traps viruses. In the example of FIG. 2, the trapping layer 1A is a layer arranged on the subject side (inner side) of the mask 1 . The trapping layer 1A may be configured to be removable from other portions of the mask 1. FIG. With this configuration, it is possible to store only the collection layer 1A in the collection container 2 instead of the entire mask 1. FIG. In this case, the size of the collection container 2 can be reduced.

The unused collection container 2 is stored in, for example, a storage case 21 and configured as an infectious disease test kit 22 . The storage case 21 is, for example, a sealable bag.

The collection container 2 itself is also typically configured to be sealable. With this configuration, even if the virus 3 adheres to the mask 1 sealed in the collection container 2, the virus 3 can be prevented from leaking out of the collection container 2. - 特許庁The collection container 2 is, for example, a plastic vial or tube sealed by a lid 2D.

The collection container 2 may contain the liquid 2A. The liquid 2A is, for example, a reagent adjusted to stably store the mask 1, and corresponds to an example of a "storage liquid" in the present disclosure. Liquid 2A, for example, prevents attached viruses from drying out during shipping.

At least one of the mask 1 and collection container 2 preferably includes an identifier. In the example of FIG. 2, the collection container 2 includes an identifier 2B.

The identifier 2B is set differently for each user, for example. With this configuration, it is possible to determine which user owns the mask 1 to which the virus 3 has been confirmed by the inspection agency 50 . In other words, an infected person can be identified. Furthermore, preferably, the identifier 2B is set so that only the facility 10 can identify the user. With this configuration, only the facility 10 can identify which user has the mask 1 to which the virus 3 has been confirmed by the inspection institution 50 . Therefore, it is effective for confidentiality of infection information in the facility 10 .

The identifier 2B is, for example, at least one of a barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier), a character string, and an image attached to at least one of the mask 1 and the collection container 2 . Alternatively, the identifier 2B may be at least one of the color, shape and size of part or all of at least one of the mask 1 and collection container 2 . With this configuration, it is possible to determine which user owns the mask 1 to which the virus 3 has been confirmed.

The inspection device 5 performs a sample inspection that is an inspection of the sample 1B. Sample testing includes, for example, PCR testing. A PCR test is a test to determine whether or not a sample contains deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) derived from a target organism. In the PCR test, if the target DNA is amplified, it is determined that the sample contains the target organism (positive). On the other hand, if the target DNA is not amplified in the PCR test, it is determined that the sample does not contain the target organism (negative). Therefore, a DNA virus whose carrier of genetic information is DNA can be detected by a PCR test.

On the other hand, in RNA viruses whose carrier of genetic information is not DNA but ribonucleic acid (RNA), RT (reverse transcription) is performed in which the DNA corresponding to the RNA is reverse transcribed as a pretreatment and then the DNA is subjected to a PCR test. Detection is possible by PCR testing.

Since PCR tests, including RT-PCR tests, are highly specific methods for detecting the base sequence itself, which is genetic information, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the target virus 3 was contained in the sample 1B. Therefore, it can be accurately determined whether or not the user wearing the mask 1 is infected with the virus 3 . Since the PCR test and the RT-PCR test are well-known techniques, detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the following description, virus 3 is assumed to be an RNA virus.

The inspection device 5 is, for example, a device that automatically performs the above pretreatment and PCR inspection. Specifically, the inspection device 5 includes a preprocessing section 51 and an inspection section 52 . The preprocessing unit 51 extracts RNA from the virus 3 contained in the sample stored in the inspection device 5, performs reverse transcription, and generates DNA 3A used for PCR inspection. The inspection unit 52 performs a PCR inspection on the DNA3A.

Control device 6 controls inspection device 5 and manages inspection results. The control device 6 includes, for example, a processor 61 , a memory 62 , an I/O (Input/Output) interface 63 and a communication interface 64 . The processor 61 includes, for example, a CPU. Processor 61 controls control device 6 and inspection device 5 . The memory 62 includes, for example, ROM, RAM, and HDD. Also, the I/O interface 63 is an interface for input to the control device 6 or output from the control device 6 . The I/O interface 63 is connected to the inspection device 5, an input unit 65 such as a mouse, and a display 66, for example. A communication interface 64 is provided for communicating with external computers, including computer 4 at facility 10 .

A network 9 connects the control device 6 of the inspection agency 50 and the computer 4 of the facility 10 . The network 9 is generally the Internet, but is not limited to this, and may be another network such as an intranet.

Computer 4 includes, for example, processor 41 , memory 42 , I/O interface 43 and communication interface 44 . A processor 41 controls the computer 4 . The processor 41 includes, for example, a CPU. The memory 42 includes, for example, ROM, RAM, and HDD. Also, the I/O interface 43 is an interface for input to the computer 4 or output from the computer 4 . The I/O interface 43 is connected to an input unit 45 such as a mouse and a display 46, for example. A communication interface 44 is provided for communicating with an external computer, including the controller 6 of the laboratory 50 .

[4. Infectious disease test flow]
Next, the flow of infectious disease inspection in the infectious disease system 100 will be described.

Referring to FIG. 2 again, the user stores the worn mask 1 in the unused collection container 2 removed from the storage case 21 . In the infectious disease inspection according to the present embodiment, the trapping layer 1A may be inspected instead of the mask 1, and this case is also included in the present embodiment. In this case, the user may store the collection layer 1A in the collection container 2. FIG. In the following figures, the mask 1 in the collection container 2 is described as a single piece of cloth with the string attached to the ear omitted.

The collection container 2 containing the mask 1 is delivered to the inspection agency 50 by the delivery agency 80 (FIG. 1). The mask 1 may be delivered, for example, for each facility or for each subgroup to which the user belongs within the facility. As used herein, a "subgroup" is a group unit smaller than a group of users within a group belonging to the facility 10 used for infectious disease testing. For example, if the group is all employees, the subgroup may be a group of users belonging to a department assigned according to the content of the job, or a group of users who work close to each other. With this configuration, the masks 1 of all users in the group or the masks 1 of all users in the subgroup can be collectively delivered to the inspection agency 50 without bothering individual users.

In the laboratory 50, for example, a laboratory technician extracts the virus 3 from the mask 1 into the liquid 2A and then removes the mask 1 to prepare the sample 1B. Note that the liquid containing the sample 1B and the container containing the sample 1B may be changed as appropriate. In that case, the identifier may also be changed by appropriately inheriting necessary information.

Subsequently, the sample 1B is stored in the inspection device 5 and sample inspection is performed. In the inspection device 5, for example, a PCR inspection is performed on the sample 1B for each user. With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether or not the sample 1B for each user is positive. That is, it is possible to determine whether or not each user is infected with an infectious disease.

A sample test is performed, for example, on a group-by-group basis. In this way, the inspection results of the users belonging to the group can be collectively obtained. Therefore, it can be easily determined whether a user belonging to the facility 10 has an infectious disease. However, if the identifier 2B attached to the collection container 2 is different for each group, it is possible to determine which group the infected sample 1B belongs to, so it is not necessary to inspect for each group. However, this also increases the complexity of handling sample 1B, so sample testing is preferably carried out in groups.

When the sample inspection is completed, the inspection results for each user are managed by the CPU 61 of the control device 6 and stored in the memory 62 . The inspection results stored in memory 62 are displayed on display 66 as required. The test results stored in the memory 62 are transmitted to the computer 4 in the facility 10 via the communication I/F64.

The control device 6 sends an email 91 containing the test results to the computer 4 via the network 9 . With this configuration, the inspection agency 50 can quickly and easily send the inspection results to the facility 10 . As another example, inspection results may be stored in the memory 62, and the inspection results may be browsed by accessing the control device 6 from the computer 4 using a predetermined code.

In the computer 4 , the test results transmitted from the control device 6 are stored in the memory 42 . The inspection results stored in the memory 42 are displayed on the display 46, for example. Thereby, the user belonging to the facility 10 is notified of the inspection result. Computer 4 corresponds to one embodiment of a "notification device."

The notification of the test results to the facility 10 is sent to, for example, at least one of (the representative of) the facility 10 and the user who needs the test results. By notifying the representative of the facility 10 of the test results, the representative of the facility 10 can quickly come up with countermeasures against the infected as an organization. For example, if the mask 1 is collected after the end of work and the test results are notified to the facility 10 by the next morning, the representative of the facility 10 will be the user whose test result was positive and the subgroup to which the user belongs. users can be requested to stop coming to work. That is, the effect of suppressing the spread of infectious diseases inside and outside the facility 10 can be obtained.

In addition, by notifying the user who needs the test result of the test result, the user can quickly take measures against infectious diseases as an individual. This notification is performed, for example, by sending an e-mail from the control device 6 of the inspection agency 50 to the smartphone or personal computer of the user who is determined to be positive or the user who belongs to the same subgroup as the user. For example, if the mask 1 is collected after the end of work and the notification is given by the next morning, the user may, at his or her own discretion, refrain from going to work the next day or contact a hospital and/or public health center. can be done. That is, the effect of suppressing the spread of infectious diseases inside and outside the facility 10 can be obtained.

[5. Infectious disease test method]
Next, a method for performing the infectious disease test described above will be described. FIG. 3 is a flow chart explaining an infectious disease test method.

Referring to FIG. 3, in step ST02, the user belonging to the facility 10 stores the worn mask 1 in the collection container 2. As shown in FIG. In step ST04 , the delivery agency 80 sends the collection container 2 containing the mask 1 to the inspection agency 50 . In step ST06, the inspection agency 50 performs a sample inspection on the sample 1B derived from the mask 1. FIG. In step ST08, the inspection agency 50 notifies the facility 10 of the inspection results of the sample inspection. Specifically, for example, the control device 6 of the inspection agency 50 sends an email including the inspection results to the computer 4 of the facility 10 . Furthermore, the computer 4 of the facility 10 saves the test results in the memory 42 and displays them on the display 46 as necessary.

Through the above steps, it is possible to inspect whether the sample 1B derived from the mask 1 worn by the user belonging to the facility 10 contains the virus 3, and notify the facility 10 of the inspection result. Therefore, it can be determined whether the user belonging to the facility 10 is infected with the virus 3 .

(First modification)
In the infectious disease testing method as described above, FIG. 2 shows an example in which the sample 1B derived from the mask 1 is tested for each user. However, when individual sample inspection is performed for each user, if the number of samples is large, it takes a long time to sample the entire sample, and there is a risk that prompt notification of the inspection results will not be possible. In the first modified example, an example will be described in which the inspection time is shortened by collectively performing sample inspection for each facility or each subgroup.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the infectious disease testing method in the first modified example. In FIG. 4, (1) to (8) represent the order of steps in the infectious disease testing method.

FIGS. 4(1) to 4(5) are the steps in the first infectious disease examination.

In FIGS. 4(1) and 4(2), first, samples 1B derived from a plurality of masks 1 are divided into inspection subgroups, which are subgroups for infectious disease inspection. In FIG. 4, as an example, an examination subgroup including samples 1B from users a, users b, and users c is illustrated.

In FIG. 4A, virus 3 is not attached to mask 1 of user a and user b. On the other hand, virus 3 is attached to mask 1 of user c. In FIG. 4(2), after the virus 3 is extracted from the mask 1 into the liquid 2A, the mask 1 is removed to prepare a sample 1B.

In FIG. 4(3), a mixed sample 1Bx is prepared by dispensing and mixing a portion of each sample 1B of the test subgroup. In FIG. 4(4), sample inspection is performed on this mixed sample 1Bx. That is, sample inspection is performed in a pool format in which the samples 1B derived from the masks 1 included in each inspection subgroup are collectively inspected.

In the example of FIG. 4(5), the result of the sample test is positive. That is, it can be seen that the virus 3 was attached to at least one of the masks 1 included in the inspection subgroup. That is, it can be determined that at least one of user a, user b, and user c wearing mask 1 included in the inspection subgroup was infected with an infectious disease.

With reference to FIGS. 4 (6) to (8), if the first pooled test result was positive, the second of samples are tested individually. More specifically, sample inspection is performed for each remaining sample 1B (FIG. 4(6)) partially removed in the first inspection (FIG. 4(7)). In the example of FIG. 4(8), the test result of each sample 1B derived from mask 1 of user a and user b is negative, and the test result of sample 1B derived from mask 1 of user c is positive. Therefore, it can be seen that only user c was infected with the infectious disease.

With this configuration, the number of samples to be sample tested can be reduced. That is, the time required for the sample inspection of the entire sample can be reduced compared to individually performing the sample inspection on the sample 1B sent from the facility 10. FIG. In particular, when the proportion of infected people is assumed to be small, testing in a pooled format is efficient because most test subgroups are expected to have negative test results. If the percentage of infected people is assumed to be small and the number of users to be tested is large, the efficiency is even higher.

(Second modification)
In the infectious disease testing method as described above, an example of finally determining whether or not each user is infected and notifying it has been shown. good.

In this case, the identifier 2B included in the collection container 2 or the mask 1 is set differently for each subgroup to which the user belongs, for example. With this configuration, it is possible to determine to which subgroup the mask 1 to which the virus 3 has been attached belongs. That is, it is possible to determine which subgroup the infected person was in. Furthermore, preferably, the identifier 2B is set so that only the facility 10 can identify the subgroup. With this configuration, only the facility 10 can identify to which subgroup the mask 1 whose infection has been confirmed in the inspection facility 50 belongs to the user. Therefore, it is effective for confidentiality of infection information in the facility 10 .

Alternatively, the masks 1 of users belonging to a subgroup may be collected in one collection container 2 or collected in a smaller number of collection containers 2 than the number of users. With this configuration, the number of collection containers 2 required for each subgroup is reduced, so the cost required for the collection containers 2 can be reduced. FIG. 5 shows an aspect of infectious disease examination in this case.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second modification of the infectious disease testing method.

In FIG. 5(1), a plurality of masks 1 are accommodated in one collection container 2 . In FIG. 5(2), after extracting viruses 3 from a plurality of masks 1 into liquid 2A, masks 1 are removed to prepare sample 1B.

In FIG. 5(3), a sample inspection is performed on the sample 1B. In the example of FIG. 5(4), the test result is positive.

In the case of the second modification, in FIG. 5(5), the facility 10 is notified of the necessity of additional testing for the users belonging to the subgroup corresponding to the collection container 2 whose test result was positive. A representative of the facility 10 can encourage the user to undergo an additional examination at a hospital or the like. That is, it has the effect of suppressing the spread of infectious diseases.

In addition, in the present embodiment, among respiratory infections, viral diseases using viruses as pathogens were exemplified, but examples of pathogens are not limited to these. For example, the infectious disease testing method according to the present embodiment is also applicable to bacterial respiratory infections.

Further, in the infectious disease test according to the present embodiment, the PCR test was exemplified as an example of the sample test of the sample 1B derived from the mask 1, but the sample test is not limited to this.

[Aspect]
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the multiple exemplary embodiments described above are specific examples of the following aspects.

(Section 1) A method for testing an infectious disease according to one aspect is a method for testing an infectious disease using a mask,
storing the worn masks of the users belonging to the group in a collection container;
Sending the mask stored in the collection container to an inspection agency;
performing a sample test on a sample derived from the mask;
and reporting test results that are the results of the sample test.

According to the infectious disease testing method described in paragraph 1, a mask worn by a user belonging to a group (for example, an employee of a facility) is subjected to a sample test at an inspection institution, and the result of the sample test is notified to the group. . Therefore, it can be determined whether or not there is an infected person among the users belonging to the group (for example, facility staff).

(Section 2) In the infectious disease testing method described in Section 1, the collection container or the mask may include a different identifier for each subgroup to which the user belongs in the group.

According to the infectious disease testing method described in the second aspect, it is possible to determine to which subgroup a user belongs to a mask on which virus attachment has been confirmed. That is, it is possible to determine which subgroup the infected person was in.

(Section 3) In the infectious disease testing method according to Section 2, the step of notifying is the step of notifying the need for additional testing for users belonging to the subgroup corresponding to the collection container whose test result was positive. may further include

According to the infectious disease testing method described in paragraph 3, the group representative encourages users who belong to the subgroup corresponding to the collection container whose test result was positive to undergo additional testing at a hospital or the like. be able to. In other words, it has the effect of suppressing the spread of infectious diseases.

(Section 4) In the infectious disease testing method described in Section 2 or 3, the identifier included in the collection container or the mask may be set so that only the group can identify the subgroup.

According to the infectious disease testing method described in Item 4, only the group can specify to which subgroup the user belonging to the mask whose infection has been confirmed by the testing institution belongs. Therefore, it is effective in preventing leakage of infection information in a group.

(Section 5) In the infectious disease test method described in Section 1, the collection container or the mask may include an identifier that differs for each user.

According to the infectious disease testing method of the fifth aspect, it is possible to determine which user owns the mask to which the virus has been confirmed by the testing institution.

(Section 6) In the infectious disease testing method according to Section 5, the step of performing sample testing may include the step of performing individual sample testing on samples derived from masks for each user.

According to the infectious disease test method described in Item 6, it is possible to determine whether or not the sample for each user is positive. That is, it is possible to determine whether or not each user is infected with an infectious disease.

(Section 7) In the infectious disease testing method described in Section 5 or 6, the identifier included in the collection container or the mask may be set so that only the group can identify the user.

According to the infectious disease testing method described in Item 7, it is only the group that can identify which user has a mask that has been confirmed to have a virus at the testing institution. Therefore, it is effective in preventing leakage of infection information in a group.

(Section 8) An infectious disease testing method according to one aspect is an infectious disease testing method using a mask, comprising the step of storing the masks worn by a plurality of users belonging to a group in a collection container;
sending the mask to an inspection agency;
performing a sample test on a sample derived from the mask;
and notifying the group of the results of the sample inspection;
The step of performing sample inspection includes:
separating samples from multiple masks into test subgroups for sample testing;
batch sample inspection of the samples from the masks included in each inspection subgroup;
and rerunning the sample test for samples from each mask in the test subgroup that were positive as a result of the sample test.

According to the infectious disease testing method described in paragraph 8, a mask worn by a user belonging to a group (for example, a staff member of a facility) is subjected to a sample test at an inspection institution, and the result of the sample test is notified to the group. . Therefore, it can be determined whether or not there is an infected person among the users belonging to the group (for example, facility staff).

In addition, since the first sample inspection is performed in a pool format in which the samples of each inspection subgroup are collectively inspected, the number of samples to be sample inspected can be reduced. That is, the time required for sample inspection of the entire sample can be reduced compared to performing sample inspection individually for samples sent from a group.

(Item 9) In the infectious disease test method according to any one of items 1 to 8, the sending step may be performed for each group.

According to the infectious disease testing method described in Item 9, masks for all users in a group or masks for all users in a subgroup can be collectively delivered to an inspection agency without bothering individual users.

(Section 10) In the infectious disease testing method according to any one of Sections 1 to 9, the testing agency further includes a step of providing at least one of an unused mask and a collection container to the group. It's okay.

According to the infectious disease test method described in item 10, the group does not need to independently obtain at least one of the mask and the collection container, so the time required for obtaining can be reduced.

(Item 11) In the infectious disease test method according to any one of items 1 to 10, the sample test may include a PCR test.

Since the PCR test is a highly specific method for detecting the base sequence itself, which is the genetic information, it can be accurately determined whether or not the target virus was contained in the sample. Therefore, according to the infectious disease testing method of item 11, it can be accurately determined whether or not the user wearing the mask is infected with the infectious disease of the virus.

(Item 12) In the infectious disease testing method according to any one of items 1 to 11, the step of notifying may include a step of notifying via a network.

According to the infectious disease testing method described in Item 12, the testing agency can quickly and simply send test results to the group.

(Item 13) In the infectious disease testing method according to any one of items 1 to 12, the step of notifying may include a step of notifying at least one of the group and the user.

According to the infectious disease testing method described in Item 13, if the representative of the group is notified of the test results, the representative of the group can quickly come up with countermeasures against the infected as an organization. If the user who needs the test result is notified of the test result, the user can promptly take measures against infectious diseases as an individual. That is, the effect of suppressing the spread of infectious diseases inside and outside the group can be obtained.

(Section 14) An infectious disease test kit according to one aspect is an infectious disease test kit using a mask,
Equipped with a collection container for storing the user's worn mask,
When the user puts the worn mask in the collection container and sends the mask in the collection container to the inspection agency,
A sample test may be performed by a laboratory on the sample from the retrieved mask, and the user may be notified of the test results resulting from the sample test.

According to the infectious disease test kit described in paragraph 14, when the mask worn by the user is put in a collection container and sent to a testing institution, a sample test (for example, a PCR test for viruses attached to the mask) is performed at the testing institution. is performed, and the user is notified of the results of the sample inspection. Therefore, it can be determined whether or not the user using the test kit is an infected person.

(Section 15) An infectious disease test method according to one aspect is an infectious disease test method using a mask,
performing a sample test on a sample from a user's worn mask;
obtaining a test result that is the result of the sample test.

According to the infectious disease testing method described in Item 15, sample testing can be performed on the sample derived from the mask worn by the user. Therefore, it can be determined whether or not the user wearing the mask is an infected person.

(Item 16) In the infectious disease test method according to Item 15, the sample test may include a PCR test.

Since the PCR test is a highly specific method for detecting the base sequence itself, which is the genetic information, it can be accurately determined whether or not the target virus was contained in the sample. Therefore, according to the infectious disease testing method of item 16, it can be accurately determined whether or not the user wearing the mask is infected with the infectious disease of the virus.

(Section 17) An infectious disease test method according to one aspect is an infectious disease test method using a mask,
storing the user's worn mask in a collection container;
sending the mask to an inspection agency;
performing a sample test on a sample derived from the mask by a laboratory;
obtaining a test result that is the result of a sample test;
and the inspection agency notifying the user of the inspection results.

In the infectious disease testing method according to Item 17, the mask worn by the user is subjected to sample testing at the testing institution, and the user is notified of the results of the sample testing. Therefore, the user can recognize whether he or she is an infected person.

(Item 18) In the infectious disease test method described in Item 17, the sample test may include a PCR test.

Since the PCR test is a highly specific method for detecting the base sequence itself, which is the genetic information, it can be accurately determined whether or not the target virus was contained in the sample. Therefore, according to the infectious disease testing method of item 18, it can be accurately determined whether or not the user wearing the mask is infected with the infectious disease of the virus.

(Section 19) An infectious disease inspection system according to one aspect is an infectious disease inspection system using a mask,
a collection container for storing worn masks of a plurality of users belonging to a group;
An inspection device that performs sample inspection on samples derived from masks stored in a collection container sent from a group;
and a notification device for notifying the group of the results of the sample test.

According to the infectious disease inspection system described in paragraph 19, the mask worn by the user belonging to the group (for example, the staff of the facility) is subjected to sample inspection by the inspection device, and the result of the sample inspection is sent to the group by the notification device. be notified. Therefore, it can be determined whether or not there is an infected person among the users belonging to the group (for example, facility staff).

(Section 20) In the infectious disease test system described in Section 19, the sample test may include a PCR test.

Since the PCR test is a highly specific method for detecting the base sequence itself, which is the genetic information, it can be accurately determined whether or not the target virus was contained in the sample. Therefore, according to the infectious disease testing method of item 20, it can be accurately determined whether or not the user wearing the mask is infected with the infectious disease of the virus.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and range of equivalents of the scope of the claims.

1 mask, 1A collection layer, 1B sample, 1Bx mixed sample, 2 collection container, 2A liquid, 2B identifier, 2D lid, 3 virus, 3A DNA, 4 computer, 5 inspection device, 6 control device, 9 network, 10 facility , 21 storage case, 22 infectious disease test kit, 41, 61 processor, 42, 62 memory, 43, 63 I / O interface, 44, 64 communication interface, 45, 65 input unit, 46, 66 display, 50 laboratory, 51 preprocessing unit, 52 inspection unit, 80 delivery agency, 81 boxes, 91 mail, 100 infectious disease inspection system.

Claims (20)

An infectious disease test method using a mask,
storing the worn masks of the users belonging to the group in a collection container;
sending the mask stored in the collection container to an inspection agency;
performing a sample test on a sample from the mask;
and a step of notifying a test result, which is the result of the sample test. 2. The infectious disease testing method according to claim 1, wherein said collection container or said mask includes an identifier different for each subgroup to which a user belongs in said group. 3. The infectious disease testing method according to claim 2, wherein said step of notifying further includes a step of notifying users belonging to a subgroup corresponding to a collection container for which said test result was positive, of the necessity of additional testing. 4. The infectious disease testing method according to claim 2, wherein said identifier included in said collection container or said mask is set so that only said group can identify a subgroup. 2. The infectious disease testing method according to claim 1, wherein said collection container or said mask includes an identifier different for each user. 6. The infectious disease testing method of claim 5, wherein performing said sample testing comprises performing said sample testing individually for samples derived from said mask for each user. 7. The infectious disease testing method according to claim 5, wherein said identifier included in said collection container or said mask is set so that only said group can identify a user. An infectious disease test method using a mask,
The infectious disease testing method includes:
storing the masks worn by a plurality of users belonging to the group in a collection container;
sending the mask to an inspection agency;
performing a sample test on a sample from the mask;
and notifying the group of inspection results that are the results of the sample inspection;
The step of performing the sample inspection includes:
dividing samples from a plurality of masks into inspection subgroups for said sample inspection;
collectively performing the sample inspection on the samples derived from the masks included in each inspection subgroup;
and re-performing the sample test on samples from each mask included in a test subgroup that was positive as a result of the sample test. The infectious disease testing method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said sending step is performed for each of said groups. The infectious disease testing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising the step of providing at least one of an unused mask and a collection container by the testing agency to the group. The infectious disease testing method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said sample testing includes PCR testing. The infectious disease testing method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said notifying step includes a step of notifying via a network. The infectious disease testing method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said notifying step includes notifying at least one of a group and a user. An infectious disease test kit using a mask,
Equipped with a collection container for storing the user's worn mask,
When the user puts the worn mask in a collection container and sends the mask in the collection container to an inspection agency,
An infectious disease test kit, wherein a sample test is performed by the test agency on a sample derived from the collected mask, and the user is notified of a test result, which is the result of the sample test. An infectious disease test method using a mask,
performing a sample test on a sample from a user's worn mask;
and obtaining a test result that is the result of the sample test. The infectious disease test method according to claim 15, wherein the sample test includes a PCR test. An infectious disease test method using a mask,
storing the user's worn mask in a collection container;
sending the mask to an inspection agency;
the laboratory conducting a sample test on a sample derived from the mask;
obtaining a test result that is the result of the sample test;
and a step of notifying a user of the inspection result by the inspection agency. The infectious disease test method according to claim 17, wherein the sample test includes a PCR test. An infectious disease inspection system using a mask,
a collection container for storing worn masks of a plurality of users belonging to a group;
an inspection device that performs a sample inspection on a sample derived from the mask stored in the collection container and sent from the group;
and a notification device that notifies the group of the result of the sample inspection. 20. The infectious disease testing system according to claim 19, wherein said sample testing includes PCR testing.

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