Diagnostic utility and performance of rapid antigen test in SARS CoV- 2 in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients during the second pandemic wave in Kashmir, North India.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Real time reverse transcriptase PCR (rRT PCR) although gold standard test for the diagnosis of SARS CoV-2, carries disadvantages of a sophisticated set up, long time to results and centralized services. The rapid antigen tests (RAT) can be used as a primary screening tool with the advantages of rapid turnaround time and ease of use. The study was conducted to determine the performance of rapid antigen test (standard Q COVID 19 Ag) in comparison to rRT PCR in symptomatic patients and asymptomatic contacts and asymptomatic patients with no apparent contact history.

Methods

Nasopharyngeal swabs taken in duplicate from 1034 patients were collected over a 5 months period. These included 248 (23.98%) symptomatic, 386 (37.34%) asymptomatic contacts and 400 (38.68%) asymptom

SUBMITTER: Farhana A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9249411 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature