Sensitivity of Home testing of COVID-19 moderate compared to RTPCR but high compared to viral culture: JAMA

California: In a new study published in the Journal of American Medical Association based on home antigen testing, the sensitivity for SARS-CoV-2 was moderate when compared to RT-PCR and high when compared to viral culture.

As self-collected home antigen testing becomes more commonly available, a greater knowledge of how they operate during SARS-CoV-2 infection is required. As a result, Victoria T. Chu and colleagues undertook this study to compare the diagnostic performance of home antigen testing with reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and viral culture in terms of days from disease start, as well as user acceptance.

From January to May 2021, this prospective cohort research was undertaken in the Denver metropolitan area, Colorado. Adults and children with RT-PCR–confirmed infection who performed self-collected home antigen testing for 15 days and received viral culture, at least 1 nasopharyngeal swab for RT-PCR, and sequencing were included in the convenience sample. Participants infected with SARS-CoV-2 were considered for this investigation. The key outcome was the sensitivity of home antigen testing to detect RT-PCR–confirmed patients on a daily basis. Secondary outcomes were the daily proportion of positive antigen test, RT-PCR, and viral culture findings, as well as antigen test sensitivity vs same-day RT-PCR and cultures. A group of participants' antigen test usage mistakes and acceptability were evaluated.