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Diagnostic accuracy of rapid antigen test kits for detecting SARS-CoV-2: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 17,171 suspected COVID-19 patients
Khandker, Shahad Saif Hashim, Nik Haszroel Hysham Nik Deris, Zakuan Zainy Shueb, Rafidah Hanim
Khandker, Shahad Saif
Hashim, Nik Haszroel Hysham Nik
Deris, Zakuan Zainy
Shueb, Rafidah Hanim
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2021-08-08
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Abstract
Early diagnosis is still as crucial as the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. As RT-PCR sometimes is not feasible in developing nations or rural areas, health professionals may use a rapid antigen test (RAT) to lessen the load of diagnosis. However, the efficacy of RAT is yet to be investigated thoroughly. Hence, we tried to evaluate the overall performance of RAT in SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. Based on our PROSPERO registered protocol (CRD42021231432), we searched online databases (i.e., PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science) and analysed overall pooled specificity and sensitivity of RAT along with study quality, publication bias, heterogeneity and more. The overall pooled specificity and sensitivity of RAT were detected as 99.4% (95% CI: 99.1–99.8; I2 = 90%) and 68.4% (95% CI: 60.8–75.9; I2 = 98%), respectively. In subgroup analyses, nasopharyngeal specimens and symptomatic patient’s samples were more sensitive in RAT, while cycle threshold (Ct) values were found to have an inverse relationship with sensitivity. In the European and American populations, RAT showed better performance. Although the sensitivity of RAT is yet to be improved, it could still be an alternative in places with poor laboratory set up. Nevertheless, the negative samples of RAT can be re-tested using RT-PCR to reduce false negative results.
Citation
Khandker SS, Nik Hashim NHH, Deris ZZ, Shueb RH, Islam MA. Diagnostic Accuracy of Rapid Antigen Test Kits for Detecting SARS-CoV-2: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 17,171 Suspected COVID-19 Patients. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2021; 10(16):3493. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10163493
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Research Unit
PubMed ID
34441789 (pubmed)
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Journal article
Language
en
Description
© 2021 The Authors. Published by MDPI. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10163493
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ISSN
2077-0383
EISSN
2077-0383
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This research was funded by the Universiti Sains Malaysia Research University Grant 1001/PPSP/8012382.
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Licence for published version: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International