Diagnostic accuracy of Panbio™ rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 in paediatric population

Background Rapid antigen-detection tests (Ag-RDTs) are used to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 infection. Real-world studies of Ag-RDTs are necessary to evaluate their diagnostic yield in paediatric patients. Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy of the Panbio™ Rapid Antigen Test for SARS-CoV-2 in the setting of...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Gallardo-Alfaro, Laura, Lorente-Montalvo, Patricia, Cañellas, Margarita A, Carandell Jäger, Eugenia, Oliver, Antonio, Rojo Molinero, Estrella, Riera, Beatriz, Llobera Cànaves, Joan, Bulilete, Oana, Leiva, Alfonso, Obieta, Anaida, Pascual, Victoria, Pericàs Pulido, Pau, Raduán de Páramo, Carlos, Segura, Elsa, Vega, Verónica
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Conselleria de Salut i Consum del Govern de les Illes Balears
Repositorio:Docusalut
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:docusalut.com:20.500.13003/19328
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13003/19328
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Adolescent
COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19
Child
Child, Preschool
Cough
Female
Fever
Humans
Male
Prospective Studies
SARS-CoV-2
Adolescente
Prueba de COVID-19
Niño
Niño preescolar
Tos
Femenino
Fiebrer
Seres humanos
Masculino
Estudios prospectivos
Preescolar
Fiebre
Humanos
Rapid antigen test
Primary care
Paediatric
Descripción
Sumario:Background Rapid antigen-detection tests (Ag-RDTs) are used to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 infection. Real-world studies of Ag-RDTs are necessary to evaluate their diagnostic yield in paediatric patients. Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy of the Panbio™ Rapid Antigen Test for SARS-CoV-2 in the setting of a primary health care centre (PHC), with use of the Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) as gold standard. Methods This prospective diagnostic study was conducted at PHCs in Mallorca, Spain. Patients were ≤ 18 years-old that attended sites for RT-PCR testing due to symptoms suggestive of infection (fever, headache, nasal congestion and dry cough, among others) or epidemiological exposure (close contacts). Two samples were collected: a nasal mid-turbinate sample for Ag-RDTs and a nasopharyngeal swab for RT-PCR testing. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the AgRDT were calculated using the RT-PCR results as the reference. Results We examined 1142 participants from 0 to 18 years (47.5% female, mean age 8.9 ± 4.8 years, median 9.0 [5.0–13.0]). There were 84 positive RT-PCR results (pre-test probability of 7.3%) and 52 positive Ag-RDT results. The sensitivity of the Ag-RDT was 59.5% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 48.2–69.9%), the specificity was 99.8% (95%CI: 99.2–99.9%), the positive predictive value was 96.1% (95%CI: 85.6–99.4%), and the negative predictive value was 96.8% (95%CI: 95.6–97.7%). The sensitivity for individuals referred by a general practitioner (GP) or paediatrician due to symptoms was 71.4% (95%CI: 51.5–86.0%) and for asymptomatic individuals was 50.0% (95%CI: 9.1–90.8%). The specificity was greater than 98.9% overall and in all subgroups. The sensitivity was 73.0% (95%CI: 52.0–87.5%) for referred patients due to symptoms and who were tested within 5 days since symptom onset. No significant statistical differences between any groups were found. There were 34 false-negative Ag-RDT results (40.5%) and 2 false-positive Ag-RDT results (0.2%). Conclusion The sensitivity of the Panbio™ Test in paediatric individuals is below the minimum of 80% recommended by the World Health Organization for Ag-RDTs. This test had better accuracy in individuals referred by a GP or paediatrician due to symptoms, rather than those who were asymptomatic or referred due to epidemiological exposure. The RT-PCR test using a nasopharyngeal swab is accurate, but a less invasive alternative that has better sensitivity than the Panbio™ Test is needed for paediatric populations.