Epidemiologic characteristics associated with SARS-CoV-2 antigen-based test results, rRT-PCR cycle threshold values, subgenomic RNA, and viral culture results from university testing

• Published in: Clinical infectious diseases 2021-04
• Main Authors: Ford, Laura, Lee, Christine, Pray, Ian W, Cole, Devlin, Bigouette, John Paul, Abedi, Glen R, Bushman, Dena, Delahoy, Miranda J, Currie, Dustin W, Cherney, Blake, Kirby, Marie, Fajardo, Geroncio, Caudill, Motria, Langolf, Kimberly, Kahrs, Juliana, Zochert, Tara, Kelly, Patrick, Pitts, Collin, Lim, Ailam, Aulik, Nicole, Tamin, Azaibi, Harcourt, Jennifer L, Queen, Krista, Zhang, Jing, Whitaker, Brett, Browne, Hannah, Medrzycki, Magdalena, Shewmaker, Patricia, Bonenfant, Gaston, Zhou, Bin, Folster, Jennifer, Bankamp, Bettina, Bowen, Michael D, Thornburg, Natalie J, Goffard, Kimberly, Limbago, Brandi, Bateman, Allen, Tate, Jacqueline E, Gieryn, Douglas, Kirking, Hannah L, Westergaard, Ryan, Killerby, Marie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Major
• ISSN: 1058-4838; 1537-6591
• DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab303

Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) and antigen tests are important diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2. Sensitivity of antigen tests has been shown to be lower than that of rRT-PCR; however, data to evaluate epidemiologic characteristics that affect test performance are limited. Paired mid-turbinate nasal swabs were collected from university students and staff and tested for SARS-CoV-2 using both Quidel Sofia SARS Antigen Fluorescent Immunoassay (FIA) and rRT-PCR assay. Specimens positive by either rRT-PCR or antigen FIA were placed in viral culture and tested for subgenomic RNA (sgRNA). Logistic regression models were used to evaluate characteristics associated with antigen results, rRT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values, sgRNA, and viral culture. Antigen FIA sensitivity was 78.9% and 43.8% among symptomatic and asymptomatic participants respectively. Among rRT-PCR positive participants, negative antigen results were more likely among asymptomatic participants (OR 4.6, CI:1.3-15.4) and less likely among participants reporting nasal congestion (OR 0.1, CI:0.03-0.8). rRT-PCR-positive specimens with higher Ct values (OR 0.5, CI:0.4-0.8) were less likely, and specimens positive for sgRNA (OR 10.2, CI:1.6-65.0) more likely, to yield positive virus isolation. Antigen testing was >90% positive in specimens with Ct values