Diagnostic utility of rapid tests to detect IgG/IgM antibodies against COVID-19.

ABSTRACT

Background: Rapid tests for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 are attractive options due to their simplicity, speed and cost-effectiveness;but they have different degrees of sensitivity and diagnostic specificity. Objective: to evaluate the analytical performance of rapid tests to detect IgG/IgM antibodies against COVID-19. Methods: descriptive study, carried out with patients admitted to the Héroes de Playa Girón Specialized Ambulatory Center, in Cienfuegos, with a presumptive, probable or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 during two periods of time. All of them underwent a rapid test to detect anti-COVID-19 antibodies, in addition to a confirmatory molecular biology test. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, predictive values, and rapid test efficiency were calculated within a 95% confidence interval. Results: excellent specificity (98.75%) and regular sensitivity (54.54%) were obtained, as well as good predictive values and overall diagnostic efficiency. Conclusion: The rapid anti-COVID-19 tests evaluated showed adequate diagnostic performance. They constitute an affordable and valuable diagnostic alternative to assess previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Its clinical use is restricted to certain medical situations;however, they constitute a useful epidemiological tool. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR] Fundamento Las pruebas rápidas para el diagnóstico del SARS-CoV-2 constituyen opciones atractivas por su simplicidad, rapidez y rentabilidad;pero poseen diferentes grados de sensibilidad y especificad diagnóstica. Objetivo: evaluar el desempeño analítico de pruebas rápidas para detectar anticuerpos IgG/IgM anti COVID-19. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, realizado con los pacientes ingresados en el Centro Especializado Ambulatorio Héroes de Playa Girón, de Cienfuegos, con diagnóstico presuntivo, probable o confirmado de COVID-19 durante dos períodos de tiempo. A todos se les realizó la prueba rápida para detectar anticuerpos anti COVID-19, además de un ensayo confirmatorio por biología molecular. Se calcularon la sensibilidad y especificidad diagnósticas, los valores predictivos y la eficiencia de la prueba rápida dentro de un intervalo de confianza del 95%. Resultados: se obtuvo una excelente especificidad (98,75%) y regular sensibilidad (54,54%), así como buenos valores predictivos y eficiencia diagnóstica global. Conclusión: Las pruebas rápidas anti COVID-19 evaluadas mostraron un desempeño diagnóstico adecuado. Resultan una alternativa diagnóstica asequible y valiosa para evaluar exposición previa al SARS-CoV-2. Su uso clínico está restringido para ciertas situaciones médicas;sin embargo, constituyen una herramienta epidemiológica útil. (Spanish) [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of MediSur is the property of Centro Provincial de Informacion de Ciencias Medicas de Cinfuegos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)