Evaluation of a SARS-CoV-2 antigen test in the rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 suspected patients

Abstract

Aim: Diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 is an important component of the overall COVID-19 prevention and control strategy. Antigen detection using lateral flow assay (LFA) platforms can be performed at the point-of-care, providing quick results while being inexpensive and simple to perform. The current study sought to determine the success of a rapid antigen test in COVID-19 suspected cases, as well as the characteristics of discrepant results. Materials and Methods: Upper respiratory samples from 352 adult patients suspected of acute COVID-19 cases with related symptoms for 18 years old) suspected of acute COVID-19 cases. The patients ranged in age from 18 to 88 years old, with a median age of 41.25 years. A routine test for SARS-CoV-2 RNA found positive results in 127 (37.1%) of the patients and negative results in 225 (63.9%). The COVID-19 Ag test was positive in 116(33%) of these patients' nasal swab samples and negative in 236 (67%). The sensitivity and specificity of the COVID-19 Ag test was 89.7% and 99%, respectively. Conclusion: A rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen test, which will be tested easily and supervised by medical personnel, could help decide for immediate isolation for patients or asymptomatic individuals that are shedding large number of viruses. In this study, lower viral loads can be strongly linked to the false negative antigen test results.