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SARS-CoV-2 screening strategies for returning international travellers: Evaluation of a rapid antigen test approach.
Layer, Emily; Hoehl, Sebastian; Widera, Marek; Bojkova, Denisa; Westphal, Tim; Gottschalk, Rene; Boeddinghaus, Boris; Schork, Joscha; Ciesek, Sandra; Goetsch, Udo.
  • Layer E; Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
  • Hoehl S; Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
  • Widera M; Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
  • Bojkova D; Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
  • Westphal T; Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
  • Gottschalk R; Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
  • Boeddinghaus B; Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
  • Schork J; Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
  • Ciesek S; Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, DZIF, External partner site Frankfurt, Germany.
  • Goetsch U; Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Electronic address: udo.goetsch@stadt-frankfurt.de.
Int J Infect Dis ; 118: 126-131, 2022 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1712688
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

International travel poses the risk of importing SARS-CoV-2 infections and introducing new viral variants into the country of destination. Established measures include mandatory quarantine with the opportunity to abbreviate it with a negative rapid antigen test (RAT).

METHODS:

A total of 1,488 returnees were tested for SARS-CoV-2 with both PCR and RAT no earlier than 5 days after arrival. We assessed the sensitivity and specificity of the RAT. Positive samples were evaluated for infectivity in vitro in a cell culture outgrowth assay. We tracked if participants who tested negative were reported positive within 2 weeks of the initial test.

RESULTS:

Potential infectiousness was determined based on symptom onset analysis, resulting in a sensitivity of the antigen test of 89% in terms of infectivity. The specificity was 100%. All positive outgrowth assays were preceded by a positive RAT, indicating that all participants with proven in vitro infectivity were correctly identified. None of the negative participants tested positive during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS:

RAT no earlier than the 5th day after arrival was a reliable method for detecting infectious travellers and can be recommended as an appropriate method for managing SARS-CoV-2 travel restrictions. Compliance to the regulations and a high standard of test quality must be ensured.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Prognostic study Topics: Variants Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Int J Infect Dis Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.ijid.2022.02.045

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Prognostic study Topics: Variants Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Int J Infect Dis Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.ijid.2022.02.045