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. 2021 Feb:288:114024.
doi: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2020.114024. Epub 2020 Nov 20.

Comparison of the SARS-CoV-2 Rapid antigen test to the real star Sars-CoV-2 RT PCR kit

Alexander Krüttgen  1 , Christian G Cornelissen  2 , Michael Dreher  2 , Mathias W Hornef  3 , Matthias Imöhl  1 , Michael Kleines  4
Affiliations

Comparison of the SARS-CoV-2 Rapid antigen test to the real star Sars-CoV-2 RT PCR kit

Alexander Krüttgen et al. J Virol Methods. 2021 Feb.

Abstract

There is an ongoing need for reliable antigen assays for timely and easy detection of individuals with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Using 75 swabs from patients previously tested positive by SARS-CoV-2 PCR and 75 swabs from patients previously tested negative by SARS-CoV-2 PCR, we investigated the sensitivity and specificity of the SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test (Roche). We determined a specificity of 96 %. The assay's sensitivity with samples with a cycle threshold of < 25, 25 - <30, 30 - <35, and> = 35 was 100 %, 95 %, 44.8 % and 22.2 %, respectively. We conclude that sensitivity and specificity of the antigen assay is inferior to the PCR assay. However, the antigen assay may be a quick and easy to perform alternative for differentiation of individuals contagious for SARS-CoV-2 from non-contagious individuals.

Keywords: Antigen; COVID-19; Lateral flow assay; SARS-CoV-2.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Sensitivity of the SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test in respect to the viral load of clinical specimens.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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