Table 2.
Comparison of cost-effectiveness and time-effectiveness between three platforms for analysis of clinical samples
| Number of samplesa | Items | qPCR | 12.765 array (Biomark) | 37 K array (Biomark) | QX100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Relative final price per sample (%)b | 100 | 1339 | 614 | 137 |
| Hands on time (h) | 1 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.25 | |
| Total turnaround time (h) | 2.8 | 3.2 | 4 | 3.5 | |
| 5 | Relative final price per sample (%)b | 100 | 998 | 459 | 173 |
| Hands on time (h) | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.5 | |
| Total turnaround time (h) | 2.9 | 3.4 | 4.1 | 4 | |
| 20 | Relative final price per sample (%)b | 100 | 2110 | 271 | 207 |
| Hands on time (h) | 1.4 | 5.6 | 1.8 | 2 | |
| Total turnaround time (h) | 3.2 | 13.6 | 4.3 | 5 | |
| 45 | Relative final price per sample (%)b | 100 | 2390 | 296 | 254 |
| Hands on time (h) | 1.7 | 11.2 | 2.2 | 3 | |
| Total turnaround time (h) | 3.5 | 27.2 | 8.6 | 6.5 |
aFor each analysis, every sample was estimated to be tested in duplicate, together with one negative template control and either a standard curve composed of five dilutions tested in duplicate (qPCR) or one positive control (both dPCR platforms)
bFor the purpose of comparison, the final price per sample for qPCR analysis of 1, 5, 20, or 45 samples was taken as a reference with an assigned value of 100 %. Final prices were calculated on the basis of costs in Slovenia and include consumables, labour fees and indirect costs. Costs related to DNA extraction were excluded from the calculations