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. 2022 Apr 1;157(4):602-607.
doi: 10.1093/ajcp/aqab173.

Performance of the LumiraDx Microfluidic Immunofluorescence Point-of-Care SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test in Asymptomatic Adults and Children

Paul Drain  1 , Raed Sulaiman  2 , Melanie Hoppers  3 , Nigel M Lindner  4 , Vicki Lawson  4 , Jayne E Ellis  4
Affiliations

Performance of the LumiraDx Microfluidic Immunofluorescence Point-of-Care SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test in Asymptomatic Adults and Children

Paul Drain et al. Am J Clin Pathol. .

Abstract

Objectives: The LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test has previously been shown to accurately detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals symptomatic for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This evaluation investigated the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test as an aid in the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in asymptomatic adults and children.

Methods: Asymptomatic individuals at high risk of COVID-19 infection were recruited in 5 point-of-care (POC) settings. Two paired anterior nasal swabs were collected from each participant, tested by using the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test at the POC, and compared with results from reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays (cobas 6800 [Roche Diagnostics] or TaqPath [Thermo Fisher Scientific]). We calculated positive percent agreement (PPA) and negative percent agreement (NPA), then stratified results on the basis of RT-PCR reference platform and cycle threshold.

Results: Of the 222 included study participants confirmed to be symptom-free for at least 2 weeks before testing, the PPA was 82.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 64.4%-92.1%). The LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test correctly identified 95.8% (95% CI, 79.8%-99.3%) of the samples confirmed positive in fewer than 33 RT-PCR cycles and 100% (95% CI, 85.1%-100%) in fewer than 30 RT-PCR cycles while maintaining 100% NPA.

Conclusions: This rapid, high-sensitivity test can be used to screen asymptomatic patients for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in clinic- and community-based settings.

Keywords: Asymptomatic; COVID-19; LumiraDx antigen test; RT-PCR; SARS-CoV-2; Sensitivity.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Participant flow diagram.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) cycle thresholds for the cobas 6800 SARS-CoV-2 Test (Roche Diagnostics) and TaqPath COVID-19 Combo Kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific). COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; FN, false-negative; SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; TP, true-positive.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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