Rev Esp Quimioter 2021;34(Suppl.1):46-48

Infection and infectivity: Utility of rapid antigen tests for the diagnosis of COVID-19

PABLO BARREIRO, JESÚS SAN-ROMÁN, MARÍA DEL MAR CARRETERO, FRANCISCO JAVIER CANDEL

Published: 30 September 2021

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/s01.14.2021

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 proteins is commercially available in the form of lateral-flow rapid antigen test for the point-of-care diagnosis of COVID-19. This platform has been validated for symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, for diagnosis or screening, and as part of single or sequential diagnostic strategies. Although in general less sensitive than amplification techniques, antigen tests may be particularly valid during the first days of symptoms and to detect individuals with greater viral load, thereby with enhanced chances of viral transmission. The simplicity of antigen tests make them very suitable to discard infection in settings with low pretest probability, and to detect infection in case of higher chances of having COVID-19.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2021; 34(Suppl. 1):46-48 [Full-text PDF]