Limit of detection in different matrices of 19 commercially available rapid antigen tests for the detection of SARS-CoV-2

[Mary Wilson]

Published: 15 September 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-97489-9

Ana I. Cubas-Atienzar, Konstantina Kontogianni, Thomas Edwards, Dominic Wooding, Kate Buist, Caitlin R. Thompson, Christopher T. Williams, Edward I. Patterson, Grant L. Hughes, Lisa Baldwin, Camille Escadafal, Jilian A. Sacks & Emily R. Adams

Abstract

In the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic there has been an increase of the use of antigen-detection rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDT). The performance of Ag-RDT vary greatly between manufacturers and evaluating their analytical limit of detection (LOD) has become high priority. Here we describe a manufacturer-independent evaluation of the LOD of 19 marketed Ag-RDT using live SARS-CoV-2 spiked in different matrices: direct culture supernatant, a dry swab, and a swab in Amies. Additionally, the LOD using dry swab was investigated after 7 days’ storage at − 80 °C of the SARS-CoV-2 serial dilutions. An LOD of ≈ 5.0 × 10² pfu/ml (1.0 × 10⁶ genome copies/ml) in culture media is defined as acceptable by the World Health Organization. Fourteen of 19 Ag-RDTs (ActiveXpress, Espline, Excalibur, Innova, Joysbio, Mologic, NowCheck, Orient, PanBio, RespiStrip, Roche, Standard-F, Standard-Q and Sure-Status) exceeded this performance criteria using direct culture supernatant applied to the Ag-RDT. Six Ag-RDT were not compatible with Amies media and a decreased sensitivity of 2 to 20-fold was observed for eleven tests on the stored dilutions at − 80 °C for 7 days. Here, we provide analytical sensitivity data to guide appropriate test and sample type selection for use and for future Ag-RDT evaluations.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-97489-9