tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Arch Argent Pediatr
. 2023 Mar 16;e202202908.
doi: 10.5546/aap.2022-02908.eng. Online ahead of print.
Comparative study between an antigen test and the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for the diagnosis of COVID-19 in pediatrics
[Article in English, Spanish]
Camila Parellada[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Florencia Escarrá[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Alfredo Martínez[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Cristina Videla[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Lucas Amaya[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Natalia Echegoyen[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Alicia Lucero[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Santiago Vidaurreta[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
in English, Spanish
Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the need for rapid diagnostic tests. The gold standard test is reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RT-PCR requires equipment and trained personnel, and results may take a long waiting time. The BD Veritor® System is a rapid chromatographic method used for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antigen in symptomatic individuals. The primary objective of this study is to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the antigen test (AT) compared to the RT-PCR in the pediatric population. Population and methods. Prospective study with a diagnostic test. All children younger than 17 years in the first 5 days of symptom onset, who consulted between July 2021 and February 2022, were included. A minimum of 300 specimens was estimated to achieve an accuracy of ±8.76% and ±3.68% for sensitivity and specificity, respectively. Specimens were analyzed in parallel using both methodologies. Results. Of 316 paired samples, 33 were positive by both methods; 6 were positive only by RT-PCR. The specificity of the AT was 100%; sensitivity was 84.6%, with a positive and negative predictive value of 100% and 98%, respectively. Conclusions. The AT proved to be useful in the diagnosis of pediatric patients with COVID-19 in the first 5 days of symptom onset, although those with a negative AT and high clinical suspicion should confirm their result with a RT-PCR. Clinical trial registration: PRIISA.BA - Record number: 4912 - Date of registration: 07/07/2021.
Keywords: COVID-19; RT-PCR; SARS-CoV-2; antigen test.
. 2023 Mar 16;e202202908.
doi: 10.5546/aap.2022-02908.eng. Online ahead of print.
Comparative study between an antigen test and the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for the diagnosis of COVID-19 in pediatrics
[Article in English, Spanish]
Camila Parellada[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Florencia Escarrá[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Alfredo Martínez[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Cristina Videla[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Lucas Amaya[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Natalia Echegoyen[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Alicia Lucero[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Santiago Vidaurreta[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 36883808
- DOI: 10.5546/aap.2022-02908.eng
Abstract
in English, Spanish
Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the need for rapid diagnostic tests. The gold standard test is reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RT-PCR requires equipment and trained personnel, and results may take a long waiting time. The BD Veritor® System is a rapid chromatographic method used for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antigen in symptomatic individuals. The primary objective of this study is to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the antigen test (AT) compared to the RT-PCR in the pediatric population. Population and methods. Prospective study with a diagnostic test. All children younger than 17 years in the first 5 days of symptom onset, who consulted between July 2021 and February 2022, were included. A minimum of 300 specimens was estimated to achieve an accuracy of ±8.76% and ±3.68% for sensitivity and specificity, respectively. Specimens were analyzed in parallel using both methodologies. Results. Of 316 paired samples, 33 were positive by both methods; 6 were positive only by RT-PCR. The specificity of the AT was 100%; sensitivity was 84.6%, with a positive and negative predictive value of 100% and 98%, respectively. Conclusions. The AT proved to be useful in the diagnosis of pediatric patients with COVID-19 in the first 5 days of symptom onset, although those with a negative AT and high clinical suspicion should confirm their result with a RT-PCR. Clinical trial registration: PRIISA.BA - Record number: 4912 - Date of registration: 07/07/2021.
Keywords: COVID-19; RT-PCR; SARS-CoV-2; antigen test.