A recent study by Synlab indicates that almost 40% of SARS-CoV-2 carriers can be missed by rapid antigen tests.
Although rapid tests may provide a quick first look, results can be quite deceptive due to the limitations of the technique, Real-Time PCR still remains the golden standard for effective and conclusive diagnosis for COVID-19 in addition to a wide range of other infectious parameters.
Real-Time PCR technology has been used by the US Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), detects whether or not the virus exists in the human biological sample in a period of as little as 2 hours. The design used in Bosphore SARS-CoV-2 / 2019-nCoV Kits tests multiple target areas in the virus DNA overcomes the risk of possible mutations in the virus influencing the test result and produces results with %100 specificity. Real-Time PCR technology produces more accurate results at an earlier stage of the infection than serologic tests which test for the existence of antibodies that the body has produced against the virus.
References:
- Synlab, 25 November 2020 | Recent medical releases | SARS-CoV-2. https://www.synlab.com/human/news/news-article/medical-data-reveal-that-almost-40-of-sars-cov-2-carriers-can-be-missed-by-rapid-antigen-tests-91
- Cevik, M., Tate, M., Lloyd, O., Maraolo, A. E., Schafers, J., & Ho, A. (2020). SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV viral load dynamics, duration of viral shedding, and infectiousness: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Microbe. https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2666-5247%2820%2930172-5
- Université de Genève Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases Division of Infectious Diseases. Validation Report: SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test. October 27th 2020. Geneva. https://www.hug.ch/sites/interhug/files/structures/laboratoire_de_virologie/documents/Centre_maladies_virales_infectieuses/ofsp_rdt_report_gcevd_27.10.2020.pdf
