Food safety is one of the major concerns in every country regardless of the economic and social development. The frequent occurrence of food scandals in the world has led the Chinese government to implement several st...Food safety is one of the major concerns in every country regardless of the economic and social development. The frequent occurrence of food scandals in the world has led the Chinese government to implement several strategies to fortify the food supply system to a high food safety standard. This relies heavily on laboratory testing services but conventional methods for detection of food contaminants and toxicants are limited by sophisticated sample preparation procedures, long analysis time, large instruments and professional personnel to meet the increasing demands. In this review, we have incorporated most of the current and potential rapid detection methods for many notorious food contaminants and toxicants including microbial agents, toxic ions, pesticides, veterinary drugs and preservatives, as well as detection of genetically modified food genes and adulterated edible oil. Development of rapid, accurate, easy-to-use and affordable testing methods could urge food handlers and the public to actively screen for food contaminants and toxicants instead of passively relying on monitoring by the government examination facility. This review also provides several recommendations including how to encourage the public to engage in the food safety management system and provide optimal education and financial assistance that may improve the current Chinese food safety control system.展开更多
Introduction Difficulties in accessing the screening test for viral hepatitis B in maternity wards could be a factor in underestimating the prevalence of anti-HBV antibodies. The rapid diagnostic orientation test (RDO...Introduction Difficulties in accessing the screening test for viral hepatitis B in maternity wards could be a factor in underestimating the prevalence of anti-HBV antibodies. The rapid diagnostic orientation test (RDOT) could improve seroprevalence and obstetrical prognosis. The aim of this study was to use the rapid diagnostic orientation test (RDOT) to determine the seroprevalence of HBs antigen carriage in pregnant women while highlighting the associated factors. Methods This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study that took place from October to December 2020 (three months) in three (03) reference maternities in western Benin (Mono). Consenting pregnant women received in prenatal consultation had been screened by RDOT. Positive cases were confirmed by ELISA test. The follow-up of these cases made it possible to establish the obstetrical prognosis. Results Of 201 women studied, 11 (5.5%) were positive for RDOT HBV and confirmed by the ELISA test. The factors associated with HBsAg carriage during pregnancy were multiple sexual partnerships (p = 0.01), female circumcision (p = 0.0001), and ignorance of prior HBV serological status (p = 0.0001). No influence of hepatitis B on pregnancy was noted. Conclusion The seroprevalence of hepatitis B in pregnancy was intermediate in the reference maternities of western Benin. The associated factors were multiple sexual partnerships, female circumcision and unawareness of prior HBV status. Free RDOT in maternity wards would improve early detection and management of viral hepatitis B in pregnancy.展开更多
Despite the widespread use of malaria rapid diagnostic test(RDT)in clinical practice,there are a lot of challenges.We conducted a secondary analysis of 129 malaria RDT data from rounds 5–8 of the World Health Organiz...Despite the widespread use of malaria rapid diagnostic test(RDT)in clinical practice,there are a lot of challenges.We conducted a secondary analysis of 129 malaria RDT data from rounds 5–8 of the World Health Organization(WHO)product testing summary and discuss the causes of false-negative(FN)results with a focus on low parasite density,improper RDT storage,operation and interpretation,and Plasmodium falciparum with a pfhrp2/3 gene deletion.The results demonstrated that the malaria RDTs currently commercially available might cause FN results in practice.展开更多
1) Background: Rapid and acurate diagnostic testing for case identification, quarantine, and contact tracing is essential for managing the COVID 19 pandemic. Rapid antigen detection tests are available, however, it is...1) Background: Rapid and acurate diagnostic testing for case identification, quarantine, and contact tracing is essential for managing the COVID 19 pandemic. Rapid antigen detection tests are available, however, it is important to evaluate their performances before use. We tested a rapid antigen detection of SARS-CoV-2, based on the immunochromatography (Boson Biotech SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test (Xiamen Boson Biotech Co., Ltd., China)) and the results were compared with the real time reverse transcriptase-Polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (Gold standard) results;2) Methods: From November 2021 to December 2021, samples were collected from symptomatic patients and asymptomatic individuals referred for testing in a hospital during the second pandemic wave in Gabon. All these participants attending “CTA Angondjé”, a field hospital set up as part of the management of COVID-19 in Gabon. Two nasopharyngeal swabs were collected in all the patients, one for Ag test and the other for RT-PCR;3) Results: A total of 300 samples were collected from 189 symptomatic and 111 asymptomatic individuals. The sensitivity and specificity of the antigen test were 82.5% [95%CI 73.8 - 89.3] and 97.9 % [95%CI 92.2 - 98.2] respectively, and the diagnostic accuracy was 84.4% (95% CI: 79.8 - 88.3%). The antigen test was more likely to be positive for samples with RT-PCR Ct values ≤ 32, with a sensitivity of 89.8%;4) Conclusions: The Boson Biotech SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test has good sensitivity and can detect SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially among symptomatic individuals with low viral load. This test could be incorporated into efficient testing algorithms as an alternative to PCR to decrease diagnostic delays and curb viral transmission.展开更多
Background and Objective: HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are very widespread in the world, however, less than 20% of the people affected are diagnosed and treated. This study aimed to determi...Background and Objective: HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are very widespread in the world, however, less than 20% of the people affected are diagnosed and treated. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV, HCV and HBV co-infections in pregnant women at Bangui Community University Hospital and the cost of screening. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving consenting pregnant women who came for antenatal care was performed. HIV, HCV antibodies and HBV antigens were detected using Exacto Triplex<sup>?</sup> HIV/HCV/HBsAg rapid test, cross-validated by ELISA tests. Sociodemographic and professional data, the modes of transmission and prevention of HIV and both hepatitis viruses were collected in a standard sheet and analyzed using the Epi-Info software version 7. Results: Pregnant women aged 15 to 24 were the most affected (45.3%);high school girls (46.0%), and pregnant women living in cohabitation (65.3%) were the most represented. Twenty-five (16.7%) worked in the formal sector, 12.7% were unemployed housewives and the remainder in the informal sector. The prevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV viruses was 11.8%, 21.9% and 22.2%, respectively. The prevalence of co-infections was 8.6% for HIV-HBV, 10.2% for HIV-HCV, 14.7% for HBV-HCV and 6.5% for HIV-HBV-HCV. All positive results and 10% of negative results by the rapid test were confirmed by ELISA tests. The serology of the three viruses costs 39,000 FCFA (60 Euros) by ELISA compared to 10,000 FCFA (15.00 Euros) with Exacto Triplex<sup>?</sup> HIV/HCV/AgHBs (BioSynex, Strasbourg, France). Conclusion: The low level of education and awareness of hepatitis are barriers to development and indicate the importance of improving the literacy rate of women in the Central African Republic (CAR). Likewise, the high prevalence of the three viruses shows the need for the urgent establishment of a national program to combat viral hepatitis in the CAR.展开更多
BACKGROUND At the end of December 2019,the world faced severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),which led to the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),associated with respiratory issues.Thi...BACKGROUND At the end of December 2019,the world faced severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),which led to the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),associated with respiratory issues.This virus has shown significant challenges,especially for senior citizens,patients with other underlying illnesses,or those with a sedentary lifestyle.Serological tests conducted early on have helped identify how the virus is transmitted and how to curb its spread.The study hypothesis was that the rapid serological test for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies could indicate the immunoreactive profile during the COVID-19 pandemic in a university population.AIM To conduct active surveillance for serological expression of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in individuals within a university setting during the COVID-19 pandemic.METHODS This sectional study by convenience sampling was conducted in a large university in Niteroi-RJ,Brazil,from March 2021 to July 2021.The study population consisted of students,faculty,and administrative staff employed by the university.A total of 3433 faculty members,60703 students,and 3812 administrative staff were invited to participate.Data were gathered through rapid serological tests to detect immunoglobulin(Ig)M and IgG against SARS-CoV-2.Theχ²or Fisher's exact test was used to conduct statistical analysis.A 0.20 significance level was adopted for variable selection in a multiple logistic regression model to evaluate associations.RESULTS A total of 1648 individuals were enrolled in the study.The proportion of COVID-19 positivity was 164/1648(9.8%).The adjusted logistic model indicate a positive association between the expression of IgM or IgG and age[odds ratio(OR)=1.16,95%CI:1.02-1.31](P<0.0024),individuals who had been in contact with a COVID-19-positive case(OR=3.49,95%CI:2.34-5.37)(P<0.001),those who had received the COVID-19 vaccine(OR=2.33,95%CI:1.61-3.35)(P<0.001)and social isolation(OR=0.59,95%CI:0.41-0.84)(P<0.004).The likelihood of showing a positive result increased by 16%with every ten-year increment.Conversely,adherence to social distancing measures decreased the likelihood by 41%.CONCLUSION These findings evidenced that the population became more exposed to the virus as individuals discontinued social distancing practices,thereby increasing the risk of infection for themselves.展开更多
Summary What is already known about this topic?Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)self-testing serves as a crucial strategy for overcoming testing barriers,with urine-based self-testing emerging as a potential novel app...Summary What is already known about this topic?Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)self-testing serves as a crucial strategy for overcoming testing barriers,with urine-based self-testing emerging as a potential novel approach.What is added by this report?In a real-world setting,this study demonstrated that the urine rapid test exhibited lower diagnostic accuracy compared to the blood rapid test.Study participants expressed stronger preferences for HIV self-testing methods utilizing finger prick samples,accompanied by standard written instructions and lower costs.展开更多
Malaria continues to pose a significant global health challenge despite a significant achievement in control and elimination in certain areas.Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for effective disease management a...Malaria continues to pose a significant global health challenge despite a significant achievement in control and elimination in certain areas.Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for effective disease management and control,and finally leading to elimination.However,microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests(RDTs)have traditionally been the primary malaria diagnostic tools used globally,with certain shortcomings,including their limited sensitivity,specificity,and inability to identify asymptomatic infections.Serological markers have emerged as promising alternatives in malaria serosurveillance,particularly in countries where targets have already been set for elimination.This review highlights the advantages of serological markers over conventional diagnostic techniques and discusses some of the most promising serological markers against Plasmodium species-specific antigens.The implementation of serosurveillance,coupled with the utilization of these serological markers represents a transformative shift in malaria surveillance.By capitalizing on the immune memory of individuals,serosurveillance also enables the identification of recent and past infections.This approach is particularly valuable in low-transmission settings and for tracking changes in malaria prevalence over time.While recognizing the use of serological markers across various global contexts,this review predominantly emphasizes their significance within the framework of India.展开更多
Gravity-1 solid-propellant carrier rocket utilizes a three-vertical testing and launch mode, and adopts a sea-based launch method. As the demand for satellite launches continues to grow, the scarcity of launch site re...Gravity-1 solid-propellant carrier rocket utilizes a three-vertical testing and launch mode, and adopts a sea-based launch method. As the demand for satellite launches continues to grow, the scarcity of launch site resources,and the consideration of cost savings, the need for rapid testing and launch of carrier rockets has become increasingly strong. The capability of rapid testing and launch has even become one important aspect of evaluating a rocket. This paper focuses on the characteristics of the Gravity-1 solid-propellant strap-on medium-sized carrier rocket and designs and implements a highly reliable, convenient, and intelligent low-cost rapid testing and launch solution. The main aspects include the design of a highly reliable dual-redundant ground architecture and the application of ground-based shelf products.展开更多
AIM:To evaluate the influence of multiple samplings during esophagogastr oduodenoscopy(EGD) on the accuracy of the rapid urease test,and the validity of newly developed rapid urease tests,HelicotecUT plus test and Hel...AIM:To evaluate the influence of multiple samplings during esophagogastr oduodenoscopy(EGD) on the accuracy of the rapid urease test,and the validity of newly developed rapid urease tests,HelicotecUT plus test and HelicotecUT test,CLO test and ProntoDry test.METHODS:A total of 355 patients undergoing EGD for dyspepsia were included.Their Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori) treatment status was either nave or eradicated.Six biopsy specimens from antrum and gastric body,respectively,were obtained during EGD.Single antral specimens and dual(antrum+body) specimens were compared.Infection status of H.pylori was evaluated by three different tests:culture,histology,and four different commercially available rapid urease tests(RUTs)-including the newly developed HelicotecUT plus test and HelicotecUT test,and established CLO test and ProntoDry test.H.pylori status was defined as positive when the culture was positive or if there were concordant positive results among histology,CLO test and ProntoDry test.RESULTS:When dual specimens were applied,sensitivity was enhanced and RUT reaction time was signif icantly reduced,regardless of their treatment status.Thirty minutes were enough to achieve an agreeable positive rate in all the RUTs.Both newly developed RUTs showed comparable sensitivity,specif icity and accuracy to the established RUTs,regardless of patient treatment status,RUT reaction duration,and EGD biopsy sites.CONCLUSION:Combination of antrum and body biopsy specimens greatly enhances the sensitivity of rapid urease test and reduces the reaction duration to 30 min.展开更多
The study discussed the rapid method to test and predict the longevity of controlled release fertilizers （CRFs） coated by water soluble resin by using the short-term leaching under higher temperature. Pure water dis...The study discussed the rapid method to test and predict the longevity of controlled release fertilizers （CRFs） coated by water soluble resin by using the short-term leaching under higher temperature. Pure water dissolving incubation and higher temperature leaching were used to study the patterns of the nutrient release of the CRFs. The correlation analysis between the days at 25℃ and the hours at 80℃ of Trincote 1 and Trincote 2 for the same cumulative release rates were conducted. Patterns of cumulative nutrient release curve followed one factor quadratic regression equation at each given temperatures, and each of relative coefficient was bigger than 0.995. As the temperature increased, nutrients release of the CRFs increased. The longevity of resin coated CRFs were predicted by use of both the cumulative nutrients release equation at 80℃ and the regression equation of release time needed for the same cumulative release rates between 25 and 80℃. There were only 0.3-6.9% relative errors between the tested longevity and predicted one. In conclusion, the longevity of resin coated CRFs could be predicted more quickly and precisely by use of the higher temperature short-term leaching method than that of the traditional differential release rate. The longevity of resin coated CRF could be rapidly and precisely predicted in a few hours by application of the higher temperature shortterm leaching method.展开更多
The World Health Organization (WHO) standard assay for determining levels of the rabies virus neutralization antibody (RVNA) is the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT), which is used to evaluate the immuni...The World Health Organization (WHO) standard assay for determining levels of the rabies virus neutralization antibody (RVNA) is the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT), which is used to evaluate the immunity effect after vaccination against rabies. For RFFIT, CVS-11 was used as the challenge virus, BSR cells as the adapted cells, and WHO rabies immunoglobulin (WHO STD) as the reference serum in this study. With reference to WHO and Pasteur RFFIT procedures, a micro-RFFIT procedure adapted to our laboratory was produced, and its specificity and reproducibility were tested. We tested levels of RVNA in human serum samples after immunization with different human rabies vaccines (domestic purified Vero cell rabies vaccine (PVRV) and imported purified chick embryo cell vaccine (PCECV)) using different regimens (Zagreb regimen and Essen regimen). We analyzed the levels of RVNA, and compared the immune efficacy of domestic PVRV and imported PCECV using different immunization regimens. The results showed that the immune efficacy of domestic PVRV using the Zagreb regimen was as good as that of the imported PCECV, but virus antibodies were generated more rapidly with the Zagreb regimen than with the Essen regimen. The RFFIT procedure established in our laboratory will enhance the comprehensive detection ability of institutions involved in rabies surveillance in China.展开更多
Presently the gold standard diagnostic technique for rabies is the direct immunofluorescence assay （dFA） which is very expensive and requires a high level of expertise. There is a need for more economical and user f...Presently the gold standard diagnostic technique for rabies is the direct immunofluorescence assay （dFA） which is very expensive and requires a high level of expertise. There is a need for more economical and user friendly tests, particularly for use in developing countries. We have established one such test called the direct rapid immunohistochemical test （dRIT） for diagnosis of rabies using brain tissue. The test is based on capture of rabies nucleoprotein （N） antigen in brain smears using a cocktail of biotinylated monoclonal antibodies specific for the N protein and color development by streptavidin peroxidase-amino ethyl carbazole and counter staining with haematoxollin. The test was done in parallel with standard FAT dFA using 400 brain samples from different animals and humans. The rabies virus N protein appears under fight microscope as reddish brown particles against a light blue background. There was 100 % correlation between the results obtained by the two tests. Also, interpretation of results by dRIT was easier and only required a light microscope. To conclude, this newly developed dRIT technique promises to be a simple, cost effective diagnostic tool for rabies and will have applicability in field conditions prevalent in developing countries.展开更多
The World Health Organization （WHO） standard assay for determining antibody level is the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test （RFFIT） and is used to determine the degree of immunity after vaccination against ra...The World Health Organization （WHO） standard assay for determining antibody level is the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test （RFFIT） and is used to determine the degree of immunity after vaccination against rabies. To compare the difference in RFFIT results between the laboratories of The National Institute of Infectious Disease in Japan （NIID） and the Chinese Centre for Disease Control （CCDC） as well the influence of the choice of standard serum （STD） for the detection, the two laboratories detection methods were simultaneously manipulated by RFFIT. The reference serums used in NIID and the WHO standard serum used in CCDC were compared in the same RFFIT detection to determine the titer of four sera samples C1, Sl, S2 and S4 in parallel, and the titers of the detected sera samples were calculated using the standard formula for neutralizing antibody titer. No significant difference was found in RFFIT methods from the two laboratories and the RFFIT testing procedures of the two laboratories have good consistency. However, different titers were obtained with the tentative internal standard serum （TI-STD） produced by adjusting to 2.0 IU of WHO standard serum in NIID and the WHO STD. The titer determined with the TI-STD was higher than that determined with WHO STD, This difference appears to be significant and requires further investigation展开更多
BACKGROUND Endofaster is an innovative technology that can be combined with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy(UGE)to perform gastric juice analysis and real-time detection of Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori).AIM To assess...BACKGROUND Endofaster is an innovative technology that can be combined with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy(UGE)to perform gastric juice analysis and real-time detection of Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori).AIM To assess the diagnostic performance of this technology and its impact on the management of H.pylori in the real-life clinical setting.METHODS Patients undergoing routine UGE were prospectively recruited.Biopsies were taken to assess gastric histology according to the updated Sydney system and for rapid urease test(RUT).Gastric juice sampling and analysis was performed using the Endofaster,and the diagnosis of H.pylori was based on real-time ammonium measurements.Histological detection of H.pylori served as the diagnostic gold standard for comparing Endofaster-based H.pylori diagnosis with RUT-based H.pylori detection.RESULTS A total of 198 patients were prospectively enrolled in an H.pylori diagnostic study by Endofasterbased gastric juice analysis(EGJA)during the UGE.Biopsies for RUT and histological assessment were performed on 161 patients(82 men and 79 women,mean age 54.8±19.2 years).H.pylori infection was detected by histology in 47(29.2%)patients.Overall,the sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value(NPV)for H.pylori diagnosis by EGJA were 91.5%,93.0%,92.6%,84.3%,and 96.4%,respectively.In patients on treatment with proton pump inhibitors,diagnostic sensitivity was reduced by 27.3%,while specificity and NPV were unaffected.EGJA and RUT were comparable in diagnostic performance and highly concordant in H.pylori detection(κ-value=0.85).CONCLUSION Endofaster allows for rapid and highly accurate detection of H.pylori during gastroscopy.This may guide taking additional biopsies for antibiotic susceptibility testing during the same procedure and then selecting an individually tailored eradication regimen.展开更多
AIM: To assess the value of a new test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, Rapirun<sup>®</sup>H. pylori Antibody Stick (Rapirun<sup>®</sup> S...AIM: To assess the value of a new test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, Rapirun<sup>®</sup>H. pylori Antibody Stick (Rapirun<sup>®</sup> Stick), in a Vietnamese population.展开更多
Combined with the tire dynamics theoretical model,a rapid test method to obtain tire lateral and longitudinal both steady-state and transient characteristics only based on the tire quasi-steady-state test results is p...Combined with the tire dynamics theoretical model,a rapid test method to obtain tire lateral and longitudinal both steady-state and transient characteristics only based on the tire quasi-steady-state test results is proposed.For steady state data extraction,the test time of the rapid test method is half that of the conventional test method.For transient tire characteristics the rapid test method omits the traditional tire test totally.At the mean time the accuracy of the two method is much closed.The rapid test method is explained theoretically and the test process is designed.The key parameters of tire are extracted and the comparison is made between rapid test and traditional test method.The result show that the identification accuracy based on the rapid test method is almost equal to the accuracy of the conventional one.Then,the heat generated during the rapid test method and that generated during the conventional test are calculated separately.The comparison shows that the heat generated during the rapid test is much smaller than the heat generated during the conventional test process.This benefits to the reduction of tire wear and the consistency of test results.Finally,it can be concluded that the fast test method can efficiently,accurately and energy-efficiently measure the steady-state and transient characteristics of the tire.展开更多
Authentication of pasta is currently determined using molecular biology-based techniques focusing on DNA as the target analyte. Whilst proven to be effective, these approaches can be criticised as being destructive, t...Authentication of pasta is currently determined using molecular biology-based techniques focusing on DNA as the target analyte. Whilst proven to be effective, these approaches can be criticised as being destructive, time consuming, and requiring specialist instrument training. Advances in the field of multispectral imaging (MSI) and hyperspectral imaging (HSI) have facilitated the development of compact imaging platforms with the capability to rapidly differentiate a range of materials (inclusive of grains and seeds) based on surface colour, texture and chemical composition. This preliminary investigation evaluated the applicability of spectral imaging for identification and quantitation of durum wheat grain samples in relation to pasta authenticity. MSI and HSI were capable of rapidly distinguishing between durum wheat and adulterant common wheat cultivars and assigning percentage adulteration levels characterised by low biases and good repeatability estimates. The results demonstrated the potential for spectral imaging based seed/grain adulteration testing to augment existing standard molecular approaches for food authenticity testing.展开更多
Responding to the fast-spreading SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, to improve screening efficiency, rapid antigen tests(RATs) were first added as a supplementary detection method in China in mid-March, 2022. What and how bi...Responding to the fast-spreading SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, to improve screening efficiency, rapid antigen tests(RATs) were first added as a supplementary detection method in China in mid-March, 2022. What and how big a role RATs should play need to be supported by clinical data. Here, RAT performance and relevant factors in comparison with nucleic acid amplification tests(NAATs) were assessed in Omicron-infected inpatients. From the NAAT results, nasopharyngeal swabs(NPs) performed better than oropharyngeal swabs(OPs). RATs tested on NAAT positive NPs performed better than those with OP-positive samples. The RAT positivity rate was strongly associated with high levels of N and OFR1ab genes, especially in NPs where patients also had significantly longer hospital stays and shorter days from symptom onset to RAT testing. Self-performed RATs had a detection accuracy that was comparable to professionally performed RATs when the subjects were well guided. The antigen negative rate of the studied patients was 100% at discharge. These findings suggest that, in addition to a supplementary detection role, RATs can be an important strategy for evaluating the disease progression of Omicron-infected inpatients. This study provides important clinical data to support better rules regarding RATs under China’s COVID-19 prevention and control policy.展开更多
BACKGROUND The global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)leads to the development of accessible and cost-effective rapid antigen-detection tests(RATs),as quick and accurate diagnosis is crucial to curb the ...BACKGROUND The global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)leads to the development of accessible and cost-effective rapid antigen-detection tests(RATs),as quick and accurate diagnosis is crucial to curb the pandemic.AIM To evaluate the Humasis COVID-19 Ag Test(Humasis Co.,Ltd.,Gyeonggi-do,Republic of Korea)in the diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2).METHODS This retrospective study was carried out at the Croatian Institute of Public Health and included patients with clinical symptoms of COVID-19 lasting no longer than 5 d prior to testing,whose nasopharyngeal swabs were primarily tested with RAT.Negative RAT samples underwent confirmatory real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Diagnostic efficacy was determined compared to RT-PCR.The patients were divided into three age groups(<18,19-65,>65 years).Statistical analysis was performed with the significance level set at P<0.05.RESULTSIn total,2490 symptomatic patients were tested;953 samples were positive on RAT,and 1537 werenegative.All negative RAT samples were subjected to RT-PCR;266 samples were positive andmarked as false-negative results on RAT.The calculated negative predictive value as a measure ofRAT efficacy was 82.69%.The χ^(2) test and Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant difference in theproportion of false negatives(P<0.001)and RT-PCR cycle(Ct)values for false-negative RATs(P=0.012)among the age groups.The young age group was significantly less likely to be falsenegative,whereas the false negatives from the elderly group experienced significantly lower Ctvalues than the other two age groups.CONCLUSIONEvaluated RAT demonstrated satisfactory performance with more reliable results in youngerpatients.Humasis COVID-19 Ag RAT is potentially a valuable tool in areas where access tomolecular methods is limited;however,RT-PCR remains a gold standard for SARS-CoV-2detection.展开更多
文摘Food safety is one of the major concerns in every country regardless of the economic and social development. The frequent occurrence of food scandals in the world has led the Chinese government to implement several strategies to fortify the food supply system to a high food safety standard. This relies heavily on laboratory testing services but conventional methods for detection of food contaminants and toxicants are limited by sophisticated sample preparation procedures, long analysis time, large instruments and professional personnel to meet the increasing demands. In this review, we have incorporated most of the current and potential rapid detection methods for many notorious food contaminants and toxicants including microbial agents, toxic ions, pesticides, veterinary drugs and preservatives, as well as detection of genetically modified food genes and adulterated edible oil. Development of rapid, accurate, easy-to-use and affordable testing methods could urge food handlers and the public to actively screen for food contaminants and toxicants instead of passively relying on monitoring by the government examination facility. This review also provides several recommendations including how to encourage the public to engage in the food safety management system and provide optimal education and financial assistance that may improve the current Chinese food safety control system.
文摘Introduction Difficulties in accessing the screening test for viral hepatitis B in maternity wards could be a factor in underestimating the prevalence of anti-HBV antibodies. The rapid diagnostic orientation test (RDOT) could improve seroprevalence and obstetrical prognosis. The aim of this study was to use the rapid diagnostic orientation test (RDOT) to determine the seroprevalence of HBs antigen carriage in pregnant women while highlighting the associated factors. Methods This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study that took place from October to December 2020 (three months) in three (03) reference maternities in western Benin (Mono). Consenting pregnant women received in prenatal consultation had been screened by RDOT. Positive cases were confirmed by ELISA test. The follow-up of these cases made it possible to establish the obstetrical prognosis. Results Of 201 women studied, 11 (5.5%) were positive for RDOT HBV and confirmed by the ELISA test. The factors associated with HBsAg carriage during pregnancy were multiple sexual partnerships (p = 0.01), female circumcision (p = 0.0001), and ignorance of prior HBV serological status (p = 0.0001). No influence of hepatitis B on pregnancy was noted. Conclusion The seroprevalence of hepatitis B in pregnancy was intermediate in the reference maternities of western Benin. The associated factors were multiple sexual partnerships, female circumcision and unawareness of prior HBV status. Free RDOT in maternity wards would improve early detection and management of viral hepatitis B in pregnancy.
基金supported by the National Grand Program on Key Infectious Disease(2018ZX10103002-001-007)the Biosafety Special Program(19SWAQ 13)。
文摘Despite the widespread use of malaria rapid diagnostic test(RDT)in clinical practice,there are a lot of challenges.We conducted a secondary analysis of 129 malaria RDT data from rounds 5–8 of the World Health Organization(WHO)product testing summary and discuss the causes of false-negative(FN)results with a focus on low parasite density,improper RDT storage,operation and interpretation,and Plasmodium falciparum with a pfhrp2/3 gene deletion.The results demonstrated that the malaria RDTs currently commercially available might cause FN results in practice.
文摘1) Background: Rapid and acurate diagnostic testing for case identification, quarantine, and contact tracing is essential for managing the COVID 19 pandemic. Rapid antigen detection tests are available, however, it is important to evaluate their performances before use. We tested a rapid antigen detection of SARS-CoV-2, based on the immunochromatography (Boson Biotech SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test (Xiamen Boson Biotech Co., Ltd., China)) and the results were compared with the real time reverse transcriptase-Polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (Gold standard) results;2) Methods: From November 2021 to December 2021, samples were collected from symptomatic patients and asymptomatic individuals referred for testing in a hospital during the second pandemic wave in Gabon. All these participants attending “CTA Angondjé”, a field hospital set up as part of the management of COVID-19 in Gabon. Two nasopharyngeal swabs were collected in all the patients, one for Ag test and the other for RT-PCR;3) Results: A total of 300 samples were collected from 189 symptomatic and 111 asymptomatic individuals. The sensitivity and specificity of the antigen test were 82.5% [95%CI 73.8 - 89.3] and 97.9 % [95%CI 92.2 - 98.2] respectively, and the diagnostic accuracy was 84.4% (95% CI: 79.8 - 88.3%). The antigen test was more likely to be positive for samples with RT-PCR Ct values ≤ 32, with a sensitivity of 89.8%;4) Conclusions: The Boson Biotech SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test has good sensitivity and can detect SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially among symptomatic individuals with low viral load. This test could be incorporated into efficient testing algorithms as an alternative to PCR to decrease diagnostic delays and curb viral transmission.
文摘Background and Objective: HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are very widespread in the world, however, less than 20% of the people affected are diagnosed and treated. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV, HCV and HBV co-infections in pregnant women at Bangui Community University Hospital and the cost of screening. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving consenting pregnant women who came for antenatal care was performed. HIV, HCV antibodies and HBV antigens were detected using Exacto Triplex<sup>?</sup> HIV/HCV/HBsAg rapid test, cross-validated by ELISA tests. Sociodemographic and professional data, the modes of transmission and prevention of HIV and both hepatitis viruses were collected in a standard sheet and analyzed using the Epi-Info software version 7. Results: Pregnant women aged 15 to 24 were the most affected (45.3%);high school girls (46.0%), and pregnant women living in cohabitation (65.3%) were the most represented. Twenty-five (16.7%) worked in the formal sector, 12.7% were unemployed housewives and the remainder in the informal sector. The prevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV viruses was 11.8%, 21.9% and 22.2%, respectively. The prevalence of co-infections was 8.6% for HIV-HBV, 10.2% for HIV-HCV, 14.7% for HBV-HCV and 6.5% for HIV-HBV-HCV. All positive results and 10% of negative results by the rapid test were confirmed by ELISA tests. The serology of the three viruses costs 39,000 FCFA (60 Euros) by ELISA compared to 10,000 FCFA (15.00 Euros) with Exacto Triplex<sup>?</sup> HIV/HCV/AgHBs (BioSynex, Strasbourg, France). Conclusion: The low level of education and awareness of hepatitis are barriers to development and indicate the importance of improving the literacy rate of women in the Central African Republic (CAR). Likewise, the high prevalence of the three viruses shows the need for the urgent establishment of a national program to combat viral hepatitis in the CAR.
文摘BACKGROUND At the end of December 2019,the world faced severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),which led to the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),associated with respiratory issues.This virus has shown significant challenges,especially for senior citizens,patients with other underlying illnesses,or those with a sedentary lifestyle.Serological tests conducted early on have helped identify how the virus is transmitted and how to curb its spread.The study hypothesis was that the rapid serological test for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies could indicate the immunoreactive profile during the COVID-19 pandemic in a university population.AIM To conduct active surveillance for serological expression of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in individuals within a university setting during the COVID-19 pandemic.METHODS This sectional study by convenience sampling was conducted in a large university in Niteroi-RJ,Brazil,from March 2021 to July 2021.The study population consisted of students,faculty,and administrative staff employed by the university.A total of 3433 faculty members,60703 students,and 3812 administrative staff were invited to participate.Data were gathered through rapid serological tests to detect immunoglobulin(Ig)M and IgG against SARS-CoV-2.Theχ²or Fisher's exact test was used to conduct statistical analysis.A 0.20 significance level was adopted for variable selection in a multiple logistic regression model to evaluate associations.RESULTS A total of 1648 individuals were enrolled in the study.The proportion of COVID-19 positivity was 164/1648(9.8%).The adjusted logistic model indicate a positive association between the expression of IgM or IgG and age[odds ratio(OR)=1.16,95%CI:1.02-1.31](P<0.0024),individuals who had been in contact with a COVID-19-positive case(OR=3.49,95%CI:2.34-5.37)(P<0.001),those who had received the COVID-19 vaccine(OR=2.33,95%CI:1.61-3.35)(P<0.001)and social isolation(OR=0.59,95%CI:0.41-0.84)(P<0.004).The likelihood of showing a positive result increased by 16%with every ten-year increment.Conversely,adherence to social distancing measures decreased the likelihood by 41%.CONCLUSION These findings evidenced that the population became more exposed to the virus as individuals discontinued social distancing practices,thereby increasing the risk of infection for themselves.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant numbers#71974212,#71774178,#81803334,#72204059)the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(grant number#2020A1515010737)+1 种基金the Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou,China(grant number#202201010078)the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control of the National Science and Technology Major Project(grant number#2018ZX10715004).
文摘Summary What is already known about this topic?Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)self-testing serves as a crucial strategy for overcoming testing barriers,with urine-based self-testing emerging as a potential novel approach.What is added by this report?In a real-world setting,this study demonstrated that the urine rapid test exhibited lower diagnostic accuracy compared to the blood rapid test.Study participants expressed stronger preferences for HIV self-testing methods utilizing finger prick samples,accompanied by standard written instructions and lower costs.
文摘Malaria continues to pose a significant global health challenge despite a significant achievement in control and elimination in certain areas.Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for effective disease management and control,and finally leading to elimination.However,microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests(RDTs)have traditionally been the primary malaria diagnostic tools used globally,with certain shortcomings,including their limited sensitivity,specificity,and inability to identify asymptomatic infections.Serological markers have emerged as promising alternatives in malaria serosurveillance,particularly in countries where targets have already been set for elimination.This review highlights the advantages of serological markers over conventional diagnostic techniques and discusses some of the most promising serological markers against Plasmodium species-specific antigens.The implementation of serosurveillance,coupled with the utilization of these serological markers represents a transformative shift in malaria surveillance.By capitalizing on the immune memory of individuals,serosurveillance also enables the identification of recent and past infections.This approach is particularly valuable in low-transmission settings and for tracking changes in malaria prevalence over time.While recognizing the use of serological markers across various global contexts,this review predominantly emphasizes their significance within the framework of India.
文摘Gravity-1 solid-propellant carrier rocket utilizes a three-vertical testing and launch mode, and adopts a sea-based launch method. As the demand for satellite launches continues to grow, the scarcity of launch site resources,and the consideration of cost savings, the need for rapid testing and launch of carrier rockets has become increasingly strong. The capability of rapid testing and launch has even become one important aspect of evaluating a rocket. This paper focuses on the characteristics of the Gravity-1 solid-propellant strap-on medium-sized carrier rocket and designs and implements a highly reliable, convenient, and intelligent low-cost rapid testing and launch solution. The main aspects include the design of a highly reliable dual-redundant ground architecture and the application of ground-based shelf products.
基金Supported by A Grant from Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital (M094015, 94-KMUH-032, KMUH95-5D51)E-Da Hospital (EDAH-D-97(P)014A)+1 种基金Excellence for cancer research center grant, No DOH99-TD-C-111-002Department of Health, Executive Yuan, Taiwan
文摘AIM:To evaluate the influence of multiple samplings during esophagogastr oduodenoscopy(EGD) on the accuracy of the rapid urease test,and the validity of newly developed rapid urease tests,HelicotecUT plus test and HelicotecUT test,CLO test and ProntoDry test.METHODS:A total of 355 patients undergoing EGD for dyspepsia were included.Their Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori) treatment status was either nave or eradicated.Six biopsy specimens from antrum and gastric body,respectively,were obtained during EGD.Single antral specimens and dual(antrum+body) specimens were compared.Infection status of H.pylori was evaluated by three different tests:culture,histology,and four different commercially available rapid urease tests(RUTs)-including the newly developed HelicotecUT plus test and HelicotecUT test,and established CLO test and ProntoDry test.H.pylori status was defined as positive when the culture was positive or if there were concordant positive results among histology,CLO test and ProntoDry test.RESULTS:When dual specimens were applied,sensitivity was enhanced and RUT reaction time was signif icantly reduced,regardless of their treatment status.Thirty minutes were enough to achieve an agreeable positive rate in all the RUTs.Both newly developed RUTs showed comparable sensitivity,specif icity and accuracy to the established RUTs,regardless of patient treatment status,RUT reaction duration,and EGD biopsy sites.CONCLUSION:Combination of antrum and body biopsy specimens greatly enhances the sensitivity of rapid urease test and reduces the reaction duration to 30 min.
基金the National Key Technologies R&D Program during the 11th Five-Year Plan period of China (2006BAD10B02)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (39870433,30270769)
文摘The study discussed the rapid method to test and predict the longevity of controlled release fertilizers （CRFs） coated by water soluble resin by using the short-term leaching under higher temperature. Pure water dissolving incubation and higher temperature leaching were used to study the patterns of the nutrient release of the CRFs. The correlation analysis between the days at 25℃ and the hours at 80℃ of Trincote 1 and Trincote 2 for the same cumulative release rates were conducted. Patterns of cumulative nutrient release curve followed one factor quadratic regression equation at each given temperatures, and each of relative coefficient was bigger than 0.995. As the temperature increased, nutrients release of the CRFs increased. The longevity of resin coated CRFs were predicted by use of both the cumulative nutrients release equation at 80℃ and the regression equation of release time needed for the same cumulative release rates between 25 and 80℃. There were only 0.3-6.9% relative errors between the tested longevity and predicted one. In conclusion, the longevity of resin coated CRFs could be predicted more quickly and precisely by use of the higher temperature short-term leaching method than that of the traditional differential release rate. The longevity of resin coated CRF could be rapidly and precisely predicted in a few hours by application of the higher temperature shortterm leaching method.
基金National Department Public Benefit Research Foundation (201103032)
文摘The World Health Organization (WHO) standard assay for determining levels of the rabies virus neutralization antibody (RVNA) is the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT), which is used to evaluate the immunity effect after vaccination against rabies. For RFFIT, CVS-11 was used as the challenge virus, BSR cells as the adapted cells, and WHO rabies immunoglobulin (WHO STD) as the reference serum in this study. With reference to WHO and Pasteur RFFIT procedures, a micro-RFFIT procedure adapted to our laboratory was produced, and its specificity and reproducibility were tested. We tested levels of RVNA in human serum samples after immunization with different human rabies vaccines (domestic purified Vero cell rabies vaccine (PVRV) and imported purified chick embryo cell vaccine (PCECV)) using different regimens (Zagreb regimen and Essen regimen). We analyzed the levels of RVNA, and compared the immune efficacy of domestic PVRV and imported PCECV using different immunization regimens. The results showed that the immune efficacy of domestic PVRV using the Zagreb regimen was as good as that of the imported PCECV, but virus antibodies were generated more rapidly with the Zagreb regimen than with the Essen regimen. The RFFIT procedure established in our laboratory will enhance the comprehensive detection ability of institutions involved in rabies surveillance in China.
文摘Presently the gold standard diagnostic technique for rabies is the direct immunofluorescence assay （dFA） which is very expensive and requires a high level of expertise. There is a need for more economical and user friendly tests, particularly for use in developing countries. We have established one such test called the direct rapid immunohistochemical test （dRIT） for diagnosis of rabies using brain tissue. The test is based on capture of rabies nucleoprotein （N） antigen in brain smears using a cocktail of biotinylated monoclonal antibodies specific for the N protein and color development by streptavidin peroxidase-amino ethyl carbazole and counter staining with haematoxollin. The test was done in parallel with standard FAT dFA using 400 brain samples from different animals and humans. The rabies virus N protein appears under fight microscope as reddish brown particles against a light blue background. There was 100 % correlation between the results obtained by the two tests. Also, interpretation of results by dRIT was easier and only required a light microscope. To conclude, this newly developed dRIT technique promises to be a simple, cost effective diagnostic tool for rabies and will have applicability in field conditions prevalent in developing countries.
基金Grant from National Institute of Infectious Diseases(NIID)National Department Public Benefit Research Foundation (201103032)
文摘The World Health Organization （WHO） standard assay for determining antibody level is the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test （RFFIT） and is used to determine the degree of immunity after vaccination against rabies. To compare the difference in RFFIT results between the laboratories of The National Institute of Infectious Disease in Japan （NIID） and the Chinese Centre for Disease Control （CCDC） as well the influence of the choice of standard serum （STD） for the detection, the two laboratories detection methods were simultaneously manipulated by RFFIT. The reference serums used in NIID and the WHO standard serum used in CCDC were compared in the same RFFIT detection to determine the titer of four sera samples C1, Sl, S2 and S4 in parallel, and the titers of the detected sera samples were calculated using the standard formula for neutralizing antibody titer. No significant difference was found in RFFIT methods from the two laboratories and the RFFIT testing procedures of the two laboratories have good consistency. However, different titers were obtained with the tentative internal standard serum （TI-STD） produced by adjusting to 2.0 IU of WHO standard serum in NIID and the WHO STD. The titer determined with the TI-STD was higher than that determined with WHO STD, This difference appears to be significant and requires further investigation
基金Supported by the Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung,Partner Site Munich,Germany,No.TTU 06.715_00the Bavarian Ministry of Science and the Arts within the framework of the Bavarian Research Network“New Strategies Against Multi-Resistant Pathogens by Means of Digital Networking–bayresq.net”.
文摘BACKGROUND Endofaster is an innovative technology that can be combined with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy(UGE)to perform gastric juice analysis and real-time detection of Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori).AIM To assess the diagnostic performance of this technology and its impact on the management of H.pylori in the real-life clinical setting.METHODS Patients undergoing routine UGE were prospectively recruited.Biopsies were taken to assess gastric histology according to the updated Sydney system and for rapid urease test(RUT).Gastric juice sampling and analysis was performed using the Endofaster,and the diagnosis of H.pylori was based on real-time ammonium measurements.Histological detection of H.pylori served as the diagnostic gold standard for comparing Endofaster-based H.pylori diagnosis with RUT-based H.pylori detection.RESULTS A total of 198 patients were prospectively enrolled in an H.pylori diagnostic study by Endofasterbased gastric juice analysis(EGJA)during the UGE.Biopsies for RUT and histological assessment were performed on 161 patients(82 men and 79 women,mean age 54.8±19.2 years).H.pylori infection was detected by histology in 47(29.2%)patients.Overall,the sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value(NPV)for H.pylori diagnosis by EGJA were 91.5%,93.0%,92.6%,84.3%,and 96.4%,respectively.In patients on treatment with proton pump inhibitors,diagnostic sensitivity was reduced by 27.3%,while specificity and NPV were unaffected.EGJA and RUT were comparable in diagnostic performance and highly concordant in H.pylori detection(κ-value=0.85).CONCLUSION Endofaster allows for rapid and highly accurate detection of H.pylori during gastroscopy.This may guide taking additional biopsies for antibiotic susceptibility testing during the same procedure and then selecting an individually tailored eradication regimen.
基金Supported by International Collaborative Research Grant of the Japanese Society of Gastrointestinal Cancer Screening
文摘AIM: To assess the value of a new test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, Rapirun<sup>®</sup>H. pylori Antibody Stick (Rapirun<sup>®</sup> Stick), in a Vietnamese population.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51775224).
文摘Combined with the tire dynamics theoretical model,a rapid test method to obtain tire lateral and longitudinal both steady-state and transient characteristics only based on the tire quasi-steady-state test results is proposed.For steady state data extraction,the test time of the rapid test method is half that of the conventional test method.For transient tire characteristics the rapid test method omits the traditional tire test totally.At the mean time the accuracy of the two method is much closed.The rapid test method is explained theoretically and the test process is designed.The key parameters of tire are extracted and the comparison is made between rapid test and traditional test method.The result show that the identification accuracy based on the rapid test method is almost equal to the accuracy of the conventional one.Then,the heat generated during the rapid test method and that generated during the conventional test are calculated separately.The comparison shows that the heat generated during the rapid test is much smaller than the heat generated during the conventional test process.This benefits to the reduction of tire wear and the consistency of test results.Finally,it can be concluded that the fast test method can efficiently,accurately and energy-efficiently measure the steady-state and transient characteristics of the tire.
文摘Authentication of pasta is currently determined using molecular biology-based techniques focusing on DNA as the target analyte. Whilst proven to be effective, these approaches can be criticised as being destructive, time consuming, and requiring specialist instrument training. Advances in the field of multispectral imaging (MSI) and hyperspectral imaging (HSI) have facilitated the development of compact imaging platforms with the capability to rapidly differentiate a range of materials (inclusive of grains and seeds) based on surface colour, texture and chemical composition. This preliminary investigation evaluated the applicability of spectral imaging for identification and quantitation of durum wheat grain samples in relation to pasta authenticity. MSI and HSI were capable of rapidly distinguishing between durum wheat and adulterant common wheat cultivars and assigning percentage adulteration levels characterised by low biases and good repeatability estimates. The results demonstrated the potential for spectral imaging based seed/grain adulteration testing to augment existing standard molecular approaches for food authenticity testing.
基金funded by the Medical Science and Technology Project of Zhejiang Province (Grant Numbers 2021KY394 and 2018KY912)
文摘Responding to the fast-spreading SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, to improve screening efficiency, rapid antigen tests(RATs) were first added as a supplementary detection method in China in mid-March, 2022. What and how big a role RATs should play need to be supported by clinical data. Here, RAT performance and relevant factors in comparison with nucleic acid amplification tests(NAATs) were assessed in Omicron-infected inpatients. From the NAAT results, nasopharyngeal swabs(NPs) performed better than oropharyngeal swabs(OPs). RATs tested on NAAT positive NPs performed better than those with OP-positive samples. The RAT positivity rate was strongly associated with high levels of N and OFR1ab genes, especially in NPs where patients also had significantly longer hospital stays and shorter days from symptom onset to RAT testing. Self-performed RATs had a detection accuracy that was comparable to professionally performed RATs when the subjects were well guided. The antigen negative rate of the studied patients was 100% at discharge. These findings suggest that, in addition to a supplementary detection role, RATs can be an important strategy for evaluating the disease progression of Omicron-infected inpatients. This study provides important clinical data to support better rules regarding RATs under China’s COVID-19 prevention and control policy.
文摘BACKGROUND The global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)leads to the development of accessible and cost-effective rapid antigen-detection tests(RATs),as quick and accurate diagnosis is crucial to curb the pandemic.AIM To evaluate the Humasis COVID-19 Ag Test(Humasis Co.,Ltd.,Gyeonggi-do,Republic of Korea)in the diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2).METHODS This retrospective study was carried out at the Croatian Institute of Public Health and included patients with clinical symptoms of COVID-19 lasting no longer than 5 d prior to testing,whose nasopharyngeal swabs were primarily tested with RAT.Negative RAT samples underwent confirmatory real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Diagnostic efficacy was determined compared to RT-PCR.The patients were divided into three age groups(<18,19-65,>65 years).Statistical analysis was performed with the significance level set at P<0.05.RESULTSIn total,2490 symptomatic patients were tested;953 samples were positive on RAT,and 1537 werenegative.All negative RAT samples were subjected to RT-PCR;266 samples were positive andmarked as false-negative results on RAT.The calculated negative predictive value as a measure ofRAT efficacy was 82.69%.The χ^(2) test and Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant difference in theproportion of false negatives(P<0.001)and RT-PCR cycle(Ct)values for false-negative RATs(P=0.012)among the age groups.The young age group was significantly less likely to be falsenegative,whereas the false negatives from the elderly group experienced significantly lower Ctvalues than the other two age groups.CONCLUSIONEvaluated RAT demonstrated satisfactory performance with more reliable results in youngerpatients.Humasis COVID-19 Ag RAT is potentially a valuable tool in areas where access tomolecular methods is limited;however,RT-PCR remains a gold standard for SARS-CoV-2detection.
