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Rapid antigen tests are one of the new fall measures adopted by the Federal Minister of Health, Spahn. By mid-October, they should be part of a new test and quarantine strategy. The Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche announced that the tests should be available in Germany from today. What is known so far about rapid antigen and w testsHow should they be used in the future?
How do rapid antigen tests work?
Unlike conventional PCR tests, rapid antigen tests do not laboriously look for the genetic material of the virus in swab samples, but rather for molecules that are characteristic of the virus. Rapid tests are comparatively easy to perform: as a “lateral flow test” it works on a similar principle to the pregnancy test. But there are some differences. In the rapid antigen test, a sample is taken from the nasopharynx and tested for the presence of the Sars-CoV-2 specific antigen, the nucleocapsid protein, a protein from the core of the virus. During the pregnancy test, the urine is examined for the pregnancy hormone HCG. Both tests are similar in the way they show their results. Two colored strips (test and control strips) indicate a positive result, one strip indicates a negative result (the control strip), and neither strip indicates that the test is invalid. Results are usually available in 15 minutes.
How reliable are the test results?
The test has a specificity of 99.68 percent. Therefore, false positive results are highly unlikely. Additionally, it has a sensitivity of 96.52 percent and therefore a less than four percent chance of receiving a false negative result. According to Roche, this was determined on the basis of 426 samples at two independent test centers.
Who are the rapid tests for?
According to Roche, the rapid antigen test is intended for use in both symptomatic and asymptomatic people.
Where will they be used in the future?
The tests can be used immediately in medical facilities, says a Roche ntv.de media spokeswoman. According to Spahn, they should be used in addition to PCR tests, for example in schools, nursing homes, or for people returning from a trip. For example, at the front door of retirement homes, they could do “an incredible amount of good,” says virologist Christian Drosten: They bring with them the ability to prevent severe visitor restrictions.
Will rapid tests be available in pharmacies?
No, not for the end user, as they must be performed by healthcare professionals, says Roche. However, they can be obtained in medical institutions through pharmacies.
Why are rapid tests not available for sale?
Germany’s Infection Protection Act stipulates that only doctors can test an infection. Therefore, the tests are not sold to individuals through pharmacies. Treating other people could be interpreted by law as bodily harm, Kekulé explains on her MDR podcast.
Who are the rapid tests sent to?
Rapid tests are supplied to medical institutions through trade. Roche announced that it is available in all markets that accept the CE mark. The pharmaceutical company also intends to apply for emergency approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
How much does a quick test cost?
Roche does not provide details on pricing. At the request of ntv.de, she says that the prices are designed in such a way that they do not represent a barrier to access the tests.
What are the advantages of rapid tests over PCR tests?
Quick tests provide a test result in a few minutes and are easier to perform. They can partially replace PCR testing and thus help ease labs. Virologists and scientists see an advantage especially when preventive tests must be performed. Standard PCR tests are too slow because the result is only available in the lab one day later. The bulk testing capabilities needed in the fall were insufficient and expensive, virologist Alexander Kekulé said on his MDR podcast.
What is the downside of rapid corona tests?
Rapid tests detect a corona infection much less reliably than PCR tests, especially in the first few days or later. However, the accuracy of standard PCR tests is not always an advantage, as they also detect “virus corpses”, ie virus residues. The test is then positive, although there is a high probability that the carrier is no longer infectious. In the infectious phase, according to Drosten, rapid tests can detect the virus quite reliably, so they could be a quick and pragmatic method of identifying whether a person is highly contagious.
Are rapid tests already being used in Germany?
Rapid tests are already being used in some German clinics. For example, at Heidelberg University Hospital, they use an SD Biosensor antigen test. According to a spokeswoman, the ENT clinic uses rapid tests for interventions in the nasopharynx, for emergency patients and for patients who need to be admitted to the hospital but cannot present a valid test result.
