Rapid antigen tests for the detection of SARS-CoV-2: A narrative review

Abstract

The rapid identification and isolation of COVID-19 patients has become the cornerstone for the control of the recent outbreak. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction is routinely used to confirm COVID-19 diagnosis and is considered the gold standard due to high sensitivity and specificity. Nevertheless, it usually takes several days and a relatively higher cost. Antigen tests based have emerged to cope with such disadvantages, by offering rapid results, an easy-to-use procedure, and low costs. The objective of the narrative review was to provide up-to-date data about CE-marked rapid antigen tests (RATs) for COVID-19. Given their large number, the study only focused on representative and widely used in Spain (Standard Q, Nadal, Panbio, CerTest, and Wondfo). Clinical sensitivity of RATs has demonstrated to be high; however there is some variability among studies. By contrast, overall specificity is consistently elevated in all of them.

Clinical Accuracy of Instrument-Read SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Tests (Ag-IRRDTs)

“…Earlier review articles on Ag-RTDs in the literature either do not include Ag-IRRDTs [ 4 , 5 ] or have limited coverage [ 6 – 9 ]. Another study [ 10 ] presents an extended review of Ag-RTDs but mixed Ag-IRRDTs with CLEIAs.…”

Clinical and Genetic Characteristics of Coronaviruses with Particular Emphasis on SARS-CoV-2 Virus

“…Antigen tests detect SARS-CoV-2 proteins (most often nucleocapsid) based on the LFIAs (lateral flow immunoassays) technique. The most frequently tested material is a nasopharyngeal swab ( Aguilar-Shea et al 2021 ). Tests available in healthcare facilities are characterized by high sensitivity and specificity.…”

Brzo antigensko testiranje studenata i djelatnika Zdravstvenog veleučilišta na SARS-CoV-2

“…Obzirom na potrebe korištenja laboratorijskih kapaciteta u slučaju provedbe PCR testiranja, racionalno rješenje za provedbu masovnih testiranja jesu brzi antigenski testovi. Također, takvi programi probira su i u zdravstvenim ustanovama ključni za otkrivanje asimptomatskih infekcija 20 . U studiji provedenoj među 1032 asimptomatska zdravstvena radnika u jednoj velikoj britanskoj sveučilišnoj bolnici, 3% zdravstvenih radnika bilo je pozitivno na COVID-19 21 .…”