key: cord-0887957-tr6g357x
authors: Seitz, Tamara; Schindler, Stefanie; Winkelmeyer, Patrick; Zach, Bernhard; Wenisch, Christoph; Zoufaly, Alexander; Allerberger, Franz
title: Evaluation of rapid antigen tests based on saliva for the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2
date: 2021-04-13
journal: J Med Virol
DOI: 10.1002/jmv.26983
sha: 5eba1d0a4a22035843efcfd4282cabc37726e07b
doc_id: 887957
cord_uid: tr6g357x

Rapid identification and isolation of with SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals is crucial. Recent studies have shown that RT-PCR from self-collected saliva is a suitable alternative to nasopharyngeal swab. A disadvantage of RT-PCR resulting in a long time until result which may be problematic. To address this problem, in this study a rapid antigen testCE-certified for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 using saliva (COVID-19 Antigen Test Cassette (hypersensitive colloidal gold) was evaluated. An overall sensitivity of saliva rapid antigen test of 44.4% and a specificity of 100% compared with RT-PCR-results from gargle solution as gold standard was shown. The data suggests that rapid antigen tests based on saliva for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 are not a no reliable substitute for RT-PCR. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Echavarria et al. 1 

Self-collected saliva for SARS-CoV-2 detection: a prospective study in the emergency room

Saliva is more sensitive than nasopharyngeal or nasal swabs for diagnosis of asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 infection

Saliva or nasopharyngeal swab specimens for detection of SARS-CoV-2

Saliva is a reliable and accessible source for the detection of SARS-CoV-2

Limits and opportunities of SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid tests: an experiencedbased perspective