EVALUATION OF THE ANALYTICAL VALUE OF SARS-CoV-2 ANTIGEN TEST IN RELATION TO Ct-VALUES OF RT-qPCR IN PATIENTS SUSPECTED OF COVID-19
Journal
Македонски медицински преглед = Macedonian Medical Review
Date Issued
2021
Author(s)
Popova, Gorica
Abstract
Introduction. COVID-19 pandemic threatens global
human health. Reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase
chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a reference test
for identification of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, but
it is associated with results delay. There is a need of
fast and reliable tests which can improve the efforts of
controlling the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
Aim. The aim of this study was to determine the analytical
value of the rapid SARS-CoV-2 Ag-test in relation
to the Ct values of the RT-qPCR.
Methods. The study group comprised outpatients suspected
for COVID-19, sampled twice, first for the routine
RT-qPCR, and second for SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing.
The results obtained by the rapid antigen test
(Panbio™ COVID-19) were evaluated in relation to Ct
values of the SARS-CoV-2 E-gene, obtained by RTqPCR
Allplex 19-nCoV multiplex assay platform.
Results. SARS-CoV-2 prevalence, based on RT-qPCR,
was 50.8% (186/366). Specificity of the PanbioTM COVID-
19 Ag Rapid Test was 100%. Test sensitivity was 73.8%.
Restricting RT-qPCR to Ct-values<30 increased test
sensitivity to 91.2%.
Conclusion. The findings underscored the epidemiological
value of the rapid Ag-test since it reliably identifies
contagious SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals who
actively spread the virus in the community.
human health. Reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase
chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a reference test
for identification of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, but
it is associated with results delay. There is a need of
fast and reliable tests which can improve the efforts of
controlling the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
Aim. The aim of this study was to determine the analytical
value of the rapid SARS-CoV-2 Ag-test in relation
to the Ct values of the RT-qPCR.
Methods. The study group comprised outpatients suspected
for COVID-19, sampled twice, first for the routine
RT-qPCR, and second for SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing.
The results obtained by the rapid antigen test
(Panbio™ COVID-19) were evaluated in relation to Ct
values of the SARS-CoV-2 E-gene, obtained by RTqPCR
Allplex 19-nCoV multiplex assay platform.
Results. SARS-CoV-2 prevalence, based on RT-qPCR,
was 50.8% (186/366). Specificity of the PanbioTM COVID-
19 Ag Rapid Test was 100%. Test sensitivity was 73.8%.
Restricting RT-qPCR to Ct-values<30 increased test
sensitivity to 91.2%.
Conclusion. The findings underscored the epidemiological
value of the rapid Ag-test since it reliably identifies
contagious SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals who
actively spread the virus in the community.
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