SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Testing Performed Well in Nursing Home Patients During an Outbreak

Antigen testing was positive in most symptomatic patients or those with positive viral cultures.

Although RT-PCR is the standard test for SARS-CoV-2 infection, limitations include longer turnaround time, need for trained personnel, and detection in some cases of noninfective viral fragments well after resolution of symptoms. Antigen testing, while not as sensitive as RT-PCR, is simple to perform and yields immediate results. To further elucidate the characteristics of antigen testing during an outbreak, investigators paired serial screening of nursing home employees and residents.

Specimens were obtained from 127 residents and 107 employees for antigen testing (BinaxNOW COVID-19 PCR Ag Cards), RT-PCR, and viral cultures. Percentage of positive agreement (PPA) between antigen testing and PCR was 82% among those with symptoms during the p…

Reviewing Author

Daniel Kaul, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNobelpharma; Pfizer

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Transplantation (Program Committee)

Daniel Kaul, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNobelpharma; Pfizer

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Transplantation (Program Committee)

SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Testing Performed Well in Nursing Home Patients During an Outbreak

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Reviewing Author