Sensitivity of the Panbio COVID-19 rapid antigen detection test in primary care

ABSTRACT

Introduction and objectives: primary care paediatricians need reliable rapid diagnostic techniques (RDTs) to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) through early and effective screening while awaiting a vaccine. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity (Sen) of the Abbott laboratory SARS-CoV-2 Panbio antigen test, newly introduced in primary care, in both adults and children (symptomatic and asymptomatic contacts) in comparison to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Sample and methods: the study included 591 patients (222 aged less than 14 years) from 7 primary care centres;of who 249 were symptomatic and 342 asymptomatic contacts. We calculated the Sen and specificity (Spe) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We assessed the independence of the two results with the McNemar test. Results: the Sen of the test within 5 days from onset was 81% in adults (95% CI, 66.16-96.34) and 80% in children (95% CI 34.94-100). In contacts, we assessed the Sen within 5 days, in adults (68%;95% CI 51.13-86.37), in 5 to 9 days (85%) and in children (66%;95% CI 30.31-100). The most frequent source of exposure were household contacts (52% of the cases). The Spe was 100% in every case. Conclusions: the Panbio SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen test can be useful for diagnosis in adults and children within 5 days of onset, and from days 5 to 9 in contacts of confirmed COVID 19 cases. Further studies are required for adequate interpretation of the latter result. © 2022, Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics. All rights reserved.