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Aim: Rapid antigen tests (RATs) for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 are increasingly being used for the early detection of symptomatic cases and interruption of transmission chains. In our study, the impact of transporting upper respiratory tract swab samples in transfer tubes containing protective liquid (vNAT) or in sterile bags without vNAT on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR and rapid antigen tests was evaluated.Material and Methods: Nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swab samples from 200 patients were included in our study. Two samples were collected from each patient using a disposable swab; one sample was placed in a transfer tube containing vNAT, while the other was placed in a sterile locked bag and tested with the SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen test. The results were then compared with PCR results, and CT values were analyzed in terms of the algorithm.Results: RT-PCR was positive in 68 out of 200 patients, with Ct values ranging from 16.4 to 29.49 and an average Ct value of 23.08. Swab samples without vNAT from these 68 patients were evaluated using antigen tests, and 58 (85.3%) were positive. Additionally, the same rapid antigen tests performed with swab samples placed in vNAT detected 49 (72%) positive cases.Conclusion: In our study, it was revealed that performing RATs from samples taken for PCR tests and transported with vNAT was a factor reducing the sensitivity. Rapid antigen tests are the most important alternatives to PCR tests in the rapid detection of symptomatic cases and breaking the chain of transmission, if the selection of the test, sample collection/transport and performing the test are in an appropriate algorithm. “Correct test selection” and “correct test algorithm” are vital for the pandemic to be brought under control.
Karabey et al. (Sun,) studied this question.