What is Rapid Antigen Test?

Pandemic has changed the way of way we used to look at the medical diagnostics. The multiplex molecular techniques which require sample collection in laboratory, long turnaround time and expensive devices for results, have been replaced by rapid antigen testing. This is a relatively well established technology and as the name suggests, provides results within a short span of time.

Rapid antigen tests are often used to diagnose infectious diseases such a bacterial or viral infections. This type of detection is particularly useful when trying to diagnose an acute infection. The tests work by detecting protein on the surface of a microorganism, such as a virus. It is a faster test than PCR when it comes to detecting viruses, as they are able to detect the virus itself instead of relying on the genetic material of the virus that is detected in PCR tests.

Advantages of Rapid Antigen Tests

There are some clear advantages that Rapid antigen tests have over molecular tests. Firstly, they are much faster – results can be had in around 30 minutes. This is hugely beneficial for both medical teams and the patient, as the patient can avoid waiting long periods for results. Secondly, rapid antigen tests are much cheaper than molecular tests. This means that they could be used more readily in poorer or developing countries, or in areas where such tests are not widely available. Lastly, these tests tend to be easier to perform, meaning that less trained personnel are needed to operate them.

Limitations of Rapid Antigen Tests

The major limitation of rapid antigen tests is their sensitivity – they are less accurate than PCR tests and could result in a false negative in some cases. This means that the results should be taken into account alongside other tests and factors, such as symptoms, before any decisions are made. Additionally, they are not able to detect all possible pathogens, meaning they may miss some infections.

Conclusion

Rapid antigen tests are a fast and relatively inexpensive way of diagnosing viral infections. The results are obtained much faster than via traditional methods and they are less expensive than PCR tests. However, they should be used alongside other tests and assessments given their lower sensitivities, and they may fail to detect some pathogenic organisms.