Abstract
The gold standard test available for detecting COVID-19 patients is Real Time RT-PCR. However, this method is expensive, needing special equipment and skilled laboratory staff. Recently, less expensive antigen tests have become available, that could easily and rapidly identify new COVID-19 cases. Our objective was to evaluate the Boson Rapid Antigen Test Card versus the RT-rtPCR, using samples taken both by laymen (self-testing) and professionals. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy rates were, 98.18%, 100.00%, and 99.28%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 100.00% and 98.82%, respectively. The detection rate for asymptomatic patients was 90.48%, and detection rate for Ct values ≥30 was 91.67%. Our results indicate a high coincidence rate between the Boson and the referencing RT-rtPCR method, meeting the performance standards recommended by the WHO. Therefore, this test could facilitate a fast self-testing screening method, for the detection of infected individuals.
Keywords: BOSON; COVID–19; Rapid antigen test; Real Time RT–PCR; SARS–CoV–2; Self–testing.
【저자키워드】 rapid antigen test, SARS–CoV–2, COVID–19, Boson, Self–testing., Real Time RT–PCR, 【초록키워드】 equipment, Test, RT-PCR, Laboratory, Antigen, sensitivity, specificity, Accuracy, Rapid, detection rate, asymptomatic patient, COVID-19 cases, RT-rtPCR, COVID-19 patient, Negative predictive value, infected individuals, gold standard, professionals, positive, Card, screening method, time, identify, evaluate, facilitate, less, the WHO, 【제목키워드】 RT-PCR, platform,