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. 2022 Apr;94(4):1693-1695.
doi: 10.1002/jmv.27459. Epub 2021 Nov 22.

Usefulness of SARS-CoV-2 antigen test sample as input for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR analysis

Cristina García-Salguero  1 , Esther Culebras  1   2 , Paloma Merino  1   2 , Elvira Baos  1 , Alberto Delgado-Iribarren  1   2
Affiliations

Usefulness of SARS-CoV-2 antigen test sample as input for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR analysis

Cristina García-Salguero et al. J Med Virol. 2022 Apr.

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 rapid detection is of great interest to prevent viral dissemination. In that sense, antigen tests appeared as a very valuable tool to reach this goal. However, it is possible to obtain a negative result in those patients with low viral loads, and consequently, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) should be performed on samples from patients with a negative antigen test in which there is a strong suspicion of COVID infection. The common diagnostic algorithm involves taking a second sample for RT-PCR testing. This study evaluates the usefulness of the antigen test sample for carrying out RT-PCR analysis when necessary. Results obtained indicate that can be used a unique sample for both antigen test and RT-PCR. This data showed that it is possible to reduce excessive suspected individuals managing and so on increase staff security and patient comfort.

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

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there are no conflict of interests.

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