We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App





Rapid Antigen Tests Detect Omicron, Delta SARS-CoV-2 Variants

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 17 Oct 2022

Accurate and accessible testing for SARS-CoV-2 is a critical tool for the timely identification of infection to inform isolation recommendations, prevent transmission, and facilitate early initiation of therapy to reduce disease progression. More...

Rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 show great promise as a testing method that is easy to use, accessible, and cost-effective Rapid antigen tests (Ag-RDTs) have lower sensitivity than RT-PCR tests for detecting SARS-CoV-2, however, sensitivity can be improved through serial testing.

A large team of medical scientists at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA) compared the performance of Ag-RDTs in detecting the Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (B.1.1.529) variants of SARS-CoV-2. The team relied on data from the prospective cohort study Test Us At Home in which participants serially took both at-home antigen and send-in PCR COVID-19 tests over a period of 10 to 15 days. This analysis focuses on the 5,779 individuals who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 at the start of the parent study and the 207 individuals of those who later tested positive for the virus by PCR.

On enrollment, participants were assigned to 1 of 3 Ag-RDTs with emergency use authorization: BD Veritor At-Home COVID-19 Test (Becton, Dickinson and Company, San Diego, CA, USA), Quidel QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test (San Diego, CA, USA) and Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test (Princeton, NJ, USA). Participants received the Ag-RDT and the Quest Diagnostics collection kit for COVID-19 by mail at the shipping address provided on enrollment.

The investigators reported that a total of 207 participants were positive on RT-PCR (58 Delta, 149 Omicron). Differences in sensitivity between variants were not statistically significant (same day: Delta, 15.5% [95% CI, 6.2% to 24.8%] versus Omicron, 22.1% [CI, 15.5% to 28.8%]; at 48 hours: Delta, 44.8% [CI, 32.0% to 57.6%] versus Omicron, 49.7% [CI, 41.6% to 57.6%]). Among 109 participants who had RT-PCR–positive results for 48 hours, rapid antigen sensitivity did not differ significantly between Delta- and Omicron-infected participants (48-hour sensitivity: Delta, 81.5% [CI, 66.8% to 96.1%] versus Omicron, 78.0% [CI, 69.1% to 87.0%]). Only 7.2% of the 69 participants with RT-PCR–positive results for shorter than 48 hours tested positive by Ag-RDT within one week; those with Delta infections remained consistently negative on Ag-RDTs.

The authors concluded that nasal swab Ag-RDT performance was similar between the Omicron and Delta variants. In both cases, detection of virus with Ag-RDTs was associated with relative viral load as measured by Ct value. The data suggest that serial testing continues to be important in improving the performance of Ag-RDTs. Future work to increase the understanding of persons with singleton RT-PCR positivity is needed to determine the public health significance of a false-negative Ag-RDT result in this subpopulation. The study was published on October 11, 2022 in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.

Related Links:
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
Becton, Dickinson and Company
Quidel 
Abbott 


Gold Member
Flu SARS-CoV-2 Combo Test
OSOM® Flu SARS-CoV-2 Combo Test
Portable Electronic Pipette
Mini 96
HBV DNA Test
GENERIC HBV VIRAL LOAD VER 2.0
Capillary Blood Collection Tube
IMPROMINI M3
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: New evidence shows viscoelastic testing can improve assessment of blood clotting during postpartum hemorrhage (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Viscoelastic Testing Could Improve Treatment of Maternal Hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage, severe bleeding after childbirth, remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide, yet many of these deaths are preventable. Standard care can be hindered by delays... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: Automated cell imaging discriminates CD8+ T cells according to natalizumab treatment outcome in MS patients (B Chaves et al., Nat Commun 16, 5533 (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60224-3)

Novel Tool Predicts Most Effective Multiple Sclerosis Medication for Patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune and degenerative neurological disease that affects the central nervous system, leading to motor, cognitive, and mental impairments. Symptoms can include... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The SWITCH hybrid pipette is designed to simplify and accelerate pipetting tasks (Photo courtesy of INTEGRA)

Hybrid Pipette Combines Manual Control with Fast Electronic Aliquoting

Manual pipettes offer the control needed for delicate tasks such as mixing or supernatant removal, but typically fall short in repetitive workflows like aliquoting. Electronic pipettes solve this problem... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: ELITechGroup’s unique Real-Time PCR technologies include the revolutionary Minor Groove Binder (Photo courtesy of ELITechGroup)

ELITech and Hitachi High-Tech to Develop Automated PCR Testing System for Infectious Diseases

Molecular testing has become central to diagnosing and monitoring infectious diseases by analyzing genetic information. The use of PCR during the COVID-19 pandemic showed its value, but traditional systems... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.