High-throughput digital cough recording on a university campus: A SARS-CoV-2-negative curated open database and operational template for acoustic screening of respiratory diseases

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory illnesses have information-rich acoustic biomarkers, such as cough, that can potentially play an important role in screening populations for disease risk. To realize that potential, datasets of paired acoustic-clinical samples are needed for the development and validation of acoustic screening models, and protocols for collecting acoustic samples must be efficient and safe. We collected cough acoustic signatures at a high-throughput SARS-CoV-2 testing site on a college campus. Here, we share logistical details and the dataset of acoustic cough signatures paired with the gold standard in SARS-CoV-2 testing of SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences using qRT-PCR. METHODS: Cough recordings were collected in winter-spring 2021 at a rural residential college (Sewanee, TN, USA), where approximately 2000 students were tested for SARS-CoV-2 on a weekly basis. Cough collection was managed by student volunteers using custom software. RESULTS: 4302 coughs were recorded from 960 participants over 11 weeks. All coughs were COVID-19 negative. Approximately 30 s were required to check-in a participant and collect their cough. CONCLUSION: The value of acoustic screening tools depends upon our ability to develop and implement them reliably and quickly. For that to happen, high-quality datasets and logistical insights must be collected and shared on an ongoing basis.