Limits and opportunities of SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid Tests: an experience based perspective

Schildgen, Verena; Demuth, Sabrina; Lusebrink, Jessica; Schildgen, Oliver

BackgroundDue to the steadily rising case numbers of SARS-CoV-2 infections worldwide there is an increasing need for reliable rapid diagnostic devices in addition to existing gold standard PCR-methods. Actually, public attention is focused on antigen assays including lateral flow tests (LFTs) as diagnostic alternative. Therefore, different LFTs were analyzed regarding their performance in a clinical setting. Material and MethodsA pilot sample panel of 13 BALFs and 60 throat washing samples (TWs) with confirmed PCR results as well as 8 throat washes invalid by PCR was tested with the BIOCREDIT test (RapiGEN), the Panbio assay (Abbott), and the SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test (Roche). ConclusionThe analyzed antigen test showed an inter-assay correlation of 27.4% with overall specificities ranging from 19.4% to 87.1%, while sensitivities of the respective tests ranged between 33.3% and 88.1%. Although these assays did not entirely meet all high expectations their benefit has to be carefully evaluated for the respective test strategy and setting.