Evaluation of diagnostic utility and performance of rapid SARS-CoV- 2 antigen detection assay in comparison with Real-Time RT-PCR in Kolkata, India

Background: COVID-19 has so far affected millions of people in India. The present study was undertaken to find out the performance and reliability rapid antigen test (RAT) compared reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Methods: pre existing medical conditions clinical signs symptoms were noted. nasopharyngeal swab samples taken for RAT, while both oropharyngeal mixed a sterile viral transported medium (VTM) RT-PCR. All patients examined by symptomatic negative RAT re-examined RT-PCR.Results: Total 18,965 3,998 Among them, only 5,753 (30.3%) 1,757 (9.2%) positive. showed overall 15.2% positive cases. Only 3.7% exhibited false results which found Interestingly, Ct (cycle threshold) values >30 all these samples.Conclusion: Hence, specific antigen-based diagnostic (RDT) will be most useful reliable among any other qualitative tests screening purpose.