Head-to-head comparison of the accuracy of saliva and nasal rapid antigen SARS-CoV-2 self-testing: cross-sectional study
Schuit, Ewoud; Venekamp, Roderick P.; Veldhuijzen, Irene K.; van den Bijllaardt, Wouter; Pas, Suzan D.; Stohr, Joep J.J.M.; Lodder, Esther B.; Hellwich, Marloes; Molenkamp, Richard; Igloi, Zsofia; Wijers, Constantijn; Vroom, Irene H.; Nagel-Imming, Carla R.S.; Han, Wanda G.H.; Kluytmans, Jan A.J.W.; van den Hof, Susan; van de Wijgert, Janneke H.H.M.; Moons, Karel G.M.
(2022) BMC Medicine, volume 20
(Article)
Abstract
Background: The diagnostic accuracy of unsupervised self-testing with rapid antigen diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) is mostly unknown. We studied the diagnostic accuracy of a self-performed SARS-CoV-2 saliva and nasal Ag-RDT in the general population. Methods: This large cross-sectional study consecutively included unselected individuals aged ≥ 16 years presenting for SARS-CoV-2 testing at
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three public health service test sites. Participants underwent molecular test sampling and received two self-tests (the Hangzhou AllTest Biotech saliva self-test and the SD Biosensor nasal self-test by Roche Diagnostics) to perform themselves at home. Diagnostic accuracy of both self-tests was assessed with molecular testing as reference. Results: Out of 2819 participants, 6.5% had a positive molecular test. Overall sensitivities were 46.7% (39.3–54.2%) for the saliva Ag-RDT and 68.9% (61.6–75.6%) for the nasal Ag-RDT. With a viral load cut-off (≥ 5.2 log10 SARS-CoV-2 E-gene copies/mL) as a proxy of infectiousness, these sensitivities increased to 54.9% (46.4–63.3%) and 83.9% (76.9–89.5%), respectively. For the nasal Ag-RDT, sensitivities were 78.5% (71.1–84.8%) and 22.6% (9.6–41.1%) in those symptomatic and asymptomatic at the time of sampling, which increased to 90.4% (83.8–94.9%) and 38.9% (17.3–64.3%) after applying the viral load cut-off. In those with and without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, sensitivities were 36.8% (16.3–61.6%) and 72.7% (65.1–79.4%). Specificities were > 99% and > 99%, positive predictive values > 70% and > 90%, and negative predictive values > 95% and > 95%, for the saliva and nasal Ag-RDT, respectively, in most analyses. Most participants considered the self-performing and result interpretation (very) easy for both self-tests. Conclusions: The Hangzhou AllTest Biotech saliva self Ag-RDT is not reliable for SARS-CoV-2 detection, overall, and in all studied subgroups. The SD Biosensor nasal self Ag-RDT had high sensitivity in individuals with symptoms and in those without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection but low sensitivity in asymptomatic individuals and those with a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection which warrants further investigation.
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Keywords: Antigen test, COVID-19, Cross-sectional Study, Diagnostic test accuracy, Nasal test, Rapid antigen detection test, Saliva test, SARS-CoV-2, General Medicine, Journal Article
ISSN: 1741-7015
Publisher: BioMed Central
Note: Funding Information: This study was funded by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport. The funder had no role in the study design; collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; writing of the report and decision to submit the paper for publication. Funding Information: We thank the participants and study staff at the participating public health service test sites, participating laboratories, the University Medical Center Utrecht, and RIVM for their contributions to the study. A special thanks to Esther Stiefelhagen, Renske Beekes, Sophie Neeleman, Roel Ensing, Wendy Mouthaan, Lieke Brouwer, and Timo Boelsums. Written permission was obtained from all seven of them to list their names. ES, RB, SN, RE, WH, LB, and TB did not receive any compensation for their contributions. Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s).
(Peer reviewed)