Rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 are much less sensitive in asymptomatic persons (40% vs 80% in symptomatic persons)

AdARRC™ June 21, 2021 Monday Weekly Update
Rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 are much less sensitive in asymptomatic persons (40% vs 80% in symptomatic persons)

Question

How accurate are rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 in both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients?

Conclusion

A rapid antigen test (Sofia FIA from Quidel) was highly specific, but sensitivity was 80% in symptomatic patients and only 40% in asymptomatic patients. In asymptomatic patients, due to the low prevalence in this sample (2%), there was also a high false positive rate of 67%.

Reference

Pray IW, Ford L, Cole D, et al, for the CDC COVID-19 Surge Laboratory Group. Performance of an antigen-based test for asymptomatic and symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 testing at two university campuses – Wisconsin, September-October 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;69(5152):1642–1647.

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