| Autor: |
Mary Jane E. Vaeth, Minahil Cheema, Sarah Omer, Ishaan Gupta, Kristie J. Sun, Asia Mitchell, Maryam Elhabashy, Maisha Foyez, Aamna Cheema, Binish Javed, Sophia Purekal, Resham Rahat, Henry Michtalik, Charles Locke, Melinda Kantsiper, James D. Campbell, E. Adrianne Hammershaimb, Yukari C. Manabe, Matthew L. Robinson, J. Kristie Johnson, Lucy E. Wilson, Charles W. Callahan, Zishan K. Siddiqui |
| Jazyk: |
angličtina |
| Rok vydání: |
2024 |
| Předmět: |
|
| Zdroj: |
Microbiology Spectrum, Vol 12, Iss 3 (2024) |
| Druh dokumentu: |
article |
| ISSN: |
2165-0497 |
| DOI: |
10.1128/spectrum.02525-23 |
| Popis: |
ABSTRACTWe conducted a single-center study at a free community testing site in Baltimore City to assess the accuracy of self-performed rapid antigen tests (RATs) for COVID-19. Self-administered BinaxNOW RATs were compared with clinician-performed RATs and against a reference lab molecular testing as the gold standard. Of the 953 participants, 14.9% were positive for SARS- CoV-2 as determined by RT-PCR. The sensitivity and specificity were similar for both self- and clinician-performed RATs (sensitivity: 83.9% vs 88.2%, P = 0.40; specificity: 99.8% vs 99.6%, P = 0.6). Subgroup comparisons based on age and race yielded similar results. Notably, 5.2% (95% CI: 1.5% to 9.5%) of positive results were potentially missed due to participant misinterpretation of the self-test card. However, the false-positive rate for RATs was reassuringly comparable in accuracy to clinician-administered tests. These findings hold significant implications for physicians prescribing treatment based on patient-reported, self-administered positive test results. Our study provides robust evidence supporting the reliability and utility of patient-performed RATs, underscoring their comparable accuracy to clinician-performed RATs, and endorsing their continued use in managing COVID-19. Further studies using other rapid antigen test brands are warranted.IMPORTANCEAccurate and accessible COVID-19 testing is crucial for effective disease control and management. A recent single-center study conducted in Baltimore City examined the reliability of self-performed rapid antigen tests (RATs) for COVID-19. The study found that self-administered RATs yielded similar sensitivity and specificity to clinician-performed tests, demonstrating their comparable accuracy. These findings hold significant implications for physicians relying on patient-reported positive test results for treatment decisions. The study provides robust evidence supporting the reliability and utility of patient-performed RATs, endorsing their continued use in managing COVID-19. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for further research using different rapid antigen test brands to enhance generalizability. Ensuring affordable and widespread access to self-tests is crucial, particularly in preparation for future respiratory virus seasons and potential waves of reinfection of SARS-CoV-2 variants such as the Omicron variant. |
| Databáze: |
Directory of Open Access Journals |
| Externí odkaz: |
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