THE DETECTION OF SARS-COV-2 IN NASOPHARYNGEAL SAMPLES USING AN ANTIGENIC TEST

• Main Authors: Catalina Lunca (Author), Cristian Cojocaru (Author), Loredana Liliana Hurjui (Author), Florin Dumitru Petrariu (Author), Elena Cojocaru (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Romanian Society of Oral Rehabilitation, 2024-03-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.6261/RJOR.2024.1.16.3; 2066-7000; 2601-4661
• Keywords: sars-cov-2; immunochromatography; qrt-pcr; nasopharyngeal exudates; Dentistry; RK1-715
• Source: Romanian Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, Vol 16, Iss 1, Pp 39-45 (2024)

Objectives: SARS-CoV-2 virus detection on nasopharyngeal specimens to infected individuals was a challenge for the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. The aim of the study was to compare the performance of antigenic detection of SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal samples using an immunochromatographic method with molecular detection via qRT-PCR. Materials and Methods: 47 nasopharyngeal exudates were collected from suspected COVID-19 cases. The samples were performed both with the qualitative immuno-chromatographic method for S protein detection in the SARS-CoV-2 structure, fluorescent labelled anti-protein S antibodies and by qRT-PCR test for the qualitative detection of the screening gene E and the specific ORF1ab region of the RNA-SARS-CoV-2. Results: There was a good correlation between the positive antigen tests and the positive PCR assays measured through threshold cycle ORF1ab region (Ct orf). A better correlation was obtained between the antigen test results and the positive qRT-PCR tests when including patients with Ct orf below 25. Conclusions: Antigen testing is helpful for symptomatic people, especially during infectious period. A positive test has a high predictive value for infection, while a negative antigen test result via immuno-chromatography must be confirmed by a qRT-PCR test.