COVID-19: Rapid Antigen detection for SARS-CoV-2 by lateral flow
Post# of 22454
A national systematic evaluation for mass-testing
by the UK COVID-19 Lateral Flow Oversight Team
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021....1.full.pdf
Edit - lots of Info on Innova Antigen Test actual results!
Follow Michael Mina on Twitter for great info on UK Testing and Vaccines
Michael Mina
@michaelmina_lab
·
NEW PAPER:
Hearing conflicting reports on if Rapid antigen tests work/are reliable?
New terrific evaluation of the national UK Experience!
The Innova Test had a sensitivity of 94% (caught ~94% of PCR + samples with likely contagious virus).
Michael Mina
@michaelmina_lab
·Jan 13
CLARIFICATION:
Much confusion about rapid antigen tests
ALL evidence - when evaluated appropriately! - shows these are VERY good at detecting infectious virus
• ~100% if used frequently
• >95% for single samples with high, most likely contagious viral loads
The tests work
Michael Mina
@michaelmina_lab
·Jan 13
We've been evaluating rapid Ag tests on campuses. We find these tests - when used as screening w/out symptoms DO miss most PCR positives!
BUT EXPECTED! - ALL misses were previously detected and already finished isolation. Ag is MUCH more specific than PCR for contagious virus
Michael Mina
@michaelmina_lab
Replying to
@michaelmina_lab
this is the whole point of rapid antigen tests - they find people who are currently infectious. They are fast, give crucial immediate results and unlike PCR do NOT stay positive for weeks/months after someone is no longer infectious.
Michael Mina
@michaelmina_lab
·Jan 13
Replying to
@michaelmina_lab
This is also at the center of why people keep confusing them as low sensitivity. They simply cannot be compared against PCR RNA positives. PCR RNA remains positive LONG after someone is infectious. Making PCR a poor tool for knowing who requires isolation.
Dorrit Berg
@BergDorrit
·Jan 13
Replying to
@michaelmina_lab
If they are cheap easy to use ,give speedy results and have been widely used so far by HCPs they should be rolled out through PC into the community. Especially as interim measure for families when school re-opens. It may improve compliance and early detection of infection.