Large scale use of SARS-CoV-2 antigen-based detection tests: a three-month experience in Guatemala, June-August 2020

Objectives. To measure protocol adherence and antigen-based detection tests (AgDT) negative predictive value after 3 months of massive use as a diagnostic tool for COVID-19 in Guatemala. Methods. The study period included nasopharyngeal swabs taken between March 12 and August 31, 2020, which results...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública
Main Authors: Lorena Gobern, Liz Parra, Antonio A. Paredes, Rafael A. León, Jairo Mendez-Rico, Marc Rondy
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Spanish
Portuguese
Published: Pan American Health Organization 2023
Subjects:
laboratory test
clinical laboratory techniques
reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
coronavirus infections
guatemala
Medicine
R
Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine
RC955-962
Public aspects of medicine
RA1-1270
Arctic
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.26633/RPSP.2020.174
https://doaj.org/article/2d5b71d3e94343b78956f1e81b28d4bf
Description
Summary:Objectives. To measure protocol adherence and antigen-based detection tests (AgDT) negative predictive value after 3 months of massive use as a diagnostic tool for COVID-19 in Guatemala. Methods. The study period included nasopharyngeal swabs taken between March 12 and August 31, 2020, which results were entered in the national COVID-19 information system. Proportional increase in testing between one month before and one month after the introduction of AgDT (May 9–June 8 vs. June 9–July 8) was measured. Results. After AgDT introduction, there was a 139% increase in SARS-CoV-2 testing. Between June 9 and August 31, 7.8% of 110 657 AgDT-negative patients had follow-up RT-PCR testing. Of them, 30% were RT-PCR positive. Conclusions. While introducing AgDT improved access to diagnostics, ensuring the availability of timely RT-PCR capacities to confirm diagnosis is also key.

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