RESUMO
Purpose: The present study aims to compare the results of the COVID-19 rapid antigen test (ExacTest™ COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test in samples of people suspected of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Materials and methods: Among the samples submitted between January 2022 and March 2022 with suspicion of COVID-19, 299 samples subject to simultaneous COVID-19 RADT (Rapid Antigen Detection Test) and RT- PCR were evaluated retrospectively. The Real-Time PCR test was studied with the DS CORONEX COVID-19 Multiplex Real time-qPCR Test Kit (DS Nano and Biotechnology Product Tracing and Tracking Co., Turkey) and the rapid antigen test was studied by the immunochromatographic method with ExacTest™ COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Cassette kit (General Diagnostica inc., California, USA). Ag-RDT test results were evaluated with the fluorescent immunoassay analyzer (FIATEST Analyzer, Hangzhou Alltest Biotech Co., Ltd. China). Results: RT-PCR test was positive in 53 (17.7%) samples. The RADT's sensitivity was found 88.7 (95% Cl 77.0-95.7), specificity 98.0 (95% Cl 95.3-99.3), positive predictive value 90.4 (95% Cl 79.7-95.8), negative predictive value 97.6 (95% Cl 95.0-98.8), and accuracy 96.3 (95% Cl 93.5-98.2). Sample sensitivities of patients under and over 18 years of age have been identified as 75 (95% Cl 19.4-99.4) and 89.8 (95% Cl 77.8-96.6), respectively. The sensitivity of patients with and without symptoms was 95.5 (95% Cl 77.2-99.9) and 83.9 (95% Cl 66.3-94.6), respectively. For samples with a cycle threshold (Ct) of <20, 20-<25, 25-<30 and 30-<35, the concordance of testing was 100%, 92.9%, 78.9% and 80%, respectively. Conclusion: The rapid antigen kit studied complies with the use criteria recommended by the World Health Organization and is quite useful for the rapid diagnosis of symptomatic patients in COVID-19. © 2022, Pamukkale University. All rights reserved.
RESUMO
This study aimed to investigate the effect of surgical masks (SM), which are widely used in the community in the fight against COVID-19, on breathing air quality and blood oxygen saturation among healthy people. This study included 45 healthy individuals. At rest and indoor conditions: blood oxygen concentrations and heart rates were recorded, while simultaneous oxygen (O-2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), VOC (volatile organic compounds) concentrations, and humidity and temperature were measured both in the mouth-nose area (MNA) in the indoor area before the mask was worn, and in MNA inside the mask (in-mask) after the mask was worn. The mean age of 45 healthy participants was 36.06 with a male to female ratio of 53.3% to 46.7%. When the indoor room air values in MNA without SM were compared with in-mask MNA values;in-mask O-2 saturation was observed to decrease, CO to increase in smokers, and VOC, humidity and temperature to significantly increase in all participants. SM wearing was observed not to significantly alter simultaneously measured peripheral blood O-2 saturation and resting heart rate. The (measured) effect of SM wearing on O-2 saturation and heart rate was found to be very small. Wearing a surgical mask was found not to impair blood O-2 saturation in healthy individuals at rest. Further studies can be recommended to support the results in this study.