Rapid Antigen Tests for COVID-19: Are Their Specificity, Sensivity and Accuracy Sufficient?

Abstract

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of rapid antigen and Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests which are widely used today in patients presenting with Covid-19 complaints and to evaluate these tests’ routine usability. Methods: Two samples were taken from oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal from 100 patients (50 women, 50 men) who applied to the Covid-19 outpatient clinic of our hospital between April and May 2022. The patients attended to the study were volunteers between the ages of 18-90. One of the samples was studied with the BNG SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test (Saliva) and evaluated with the naked eye after 15 minutes according to the company's recommendations. The other sample was studied with RT-PCR on BIO-RAD CFX Real Time System with DSCoronex Covid-19 QPCR Test Kit. The epidemiological data and clinical conditions of the patients were determined by questionnaires. The age, gender, symptoms (fever, cough, headache, diarrhea, sore throat, shortness of breath, loss of taste and smell, myalgia) of the patient and the day of the symptoms were noted down. Results: It is known that technically rapid antigen tests generally have lower sensitivity and higher specificity than RT-PCR. In our study, the sensitivity was 71% and the specificity was 100%. The Accuracy (Diagnostic Value) rate of the rapid antigen test was determined as 90%. Our results suggest that rapid antigen tests are inexpensive and practical tests to reduce transmission, especially in epidemics however they should be selected carefully by the health care authorities. Conclusion: The prevalence of self-reported FA based on web-based survey in Eastern Black Sea residents is relatively high and specific to the region.