AI Article Synopsis
- A study conducted at a public university in Seattle evaluated the effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 antigen-detection rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) in comparison to traditional rRT-PCR testing over a period from February to December 2022.
- Out of 5,757 participants, those who took 12,674 rRT-PCR tests found 7.9% positive, with Ag-RDTs showing an overall sensitivity of 53% and specificity of 98.8%.
- The study concluded that Ag-RDT sensitivity improved with sequential testing, particularly after initial negative results, and recommended repeat testing for symptomatic individuals or those at high risk.
Article Abstract
Background: SARS-CoV-2 antigen-detection rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) have become widely utilized but longitudinal characterization of their community-based performance remains incompletely understood.
Methods: This prospective longitudinal study at a large public university in Seattle, WA utilized remote enrollment, online surveys, and self-collected nasal swab specimens to evaluate Ag-RDT performance against real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) in the context of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron. Ag-RDT sensitivity and specificity within 1 day of rRT-PCR were evaluated by symptom status throughout the illness episode and Orf1b cycle threshold (Ct).
Results: From February to December 2022, 5757 participants reported 17 572 Ag-RDT results and completed 12 674 rRT-PCR tests, of which 995 (7.9%) were rRT-PCR positive. Overall sensitivity and specificity were 53.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 49.6%-56.4%) and 98.8% (95% CI, 98.5%-99.0%), respectively. Sensitivity was comparatively higher for Ag-RDTs used 1 day after rRT-PCR (69.0%), 4-7 days after symptom onset (70.1%), and Orf1b Ct ≤20 (82.7%). Serial Ag-RDT sensitivity increased with repeat testing ≥2 (68.5%) and ≥4 (75.8%) days after an initial Ag-RDT-negative result.
Conclusions: Ag-RDT performance varied by clinical characteristics and temporal testing patterns. Our findings support recommendations for serial testing following an initial Ag-RDT-negative result, especially among recently symptomatic persons or those at high risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiae150 | DOI Listing |
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