Evaluation of a rapid-antigen test for COVID-19 in an asymptomatic collective: A prospective study

4Citations
Citations of this article
22Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

Background: Over the past year, there has been a significant increase in rapid antigen test (RAT) detection of SARS-CoV‑2 COVID-19. Antigen detection is usually inferior to real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in terms of sensitivity and specificity. The aim of this study was to evaluate a RAT for specificity and sensitivity in an asymptomatic collective. Methods: The study was carried out in January 2021 at a hospital located in a district with a 7-day index and an average of more than 100 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. COVID-19 patients are treated at this hospital. All employees with symptoms typical of COVID-19 were not allowed to go to work. We used RAT by Roche® (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, D-68305 Mannheim) and RT-PCR on our employees. The testing was done voluntarily. We performed RT-PCR and RAT using two swab tubes at the same time. Results: We could correlate 919 RAT to 919 RT-PCR tests. 12 people tested positive in RAT. All 12 tests were validated by RT-PCR. There was not one incorrect positive result in RAT. In one person COVID-19 was not detected by RAT, but then positively identified with a RT-PCR. In the group of positive RAT, the mean cycle threshold (CT) value was 19.95. Our results showed a sensitivity of 92.3%, CI (confidence interval) [0.78; 1.00] and a specificity of 100.00% CI [1.0; 1.0]. Conclusion: RAT can be an important tool for screening for SARS-CoV‑2 COVID-19 at the point of care. With low cost and resource needs, high specificity, and high specificity, RAT are performed best during the early stages of SARS-CoV‑2 COVID-19, when the viral loads are high.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

von Ahnen, T., von Ahnen, M., Wirth, U., Schardey, H. M., & Herdtle, S. (2022). Evaluation of a rapid-antigen test for COVID-19 in an asymptomatic collective: A prospective study. Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift, 172(3–4), 70–73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-021-00883-1

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free