In view of the increasing number of corona infections, rapid corona tests are an important means of curbing the spread of the corona virus. However, the reliability of the result not only depends on how it is carried out, but also on the product itself. But which rapid corona tests are reliable?
Rapid corona tests are currently part of everyday life for many people. Because with the increasing number of corona cases, the need for rapid tests for at home is also increasing. But even the quick test result is not always reliable – because on the one hand errors can occur during application and on the other hand the tests differ in terms of quality. For this reason, the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI), which is responsible for vaccines and drugs in Germany, has so far tested the reliability of over 200 SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid tests together with researchers from other institutions. The list of tests was last updated on 01/12/2022.
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Corona rapid tests: which ones are reliable?
For the review, the scientists prepared various dilution levels from nasal swab samples from patients who tested positive for the coronavirus. First of all, the respective viral load was determined using a PCR test before they were used in the self-tests. This made it possible to determine the sensitivity of the rapid tests – i.e. the probability that the test will detect the corona virus.
The two rapid tests for which the sensitivity was 100 percent for both very high and high viral loads and for low viral loads and which performed best are:
- Limited COVID-19 Rapid Test Cassette Antigen Test Kit des Herstellers Lifecosm Biotech Limited
- Longsee 2019-nCoV Ag Rapid Detection Kit (Immuno-Chromatography) of Manufacturers Guangdong Longsee Biomedical Co., Inc
Four other rapid tests each had a sensitivity of 100 percent for very high and high viral loads and a sensitivity of 80 percent for low viral loads. These include:
- SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Detection Kit (LFA) des Herstellers Acro Diagnostics Co., Ltd.
- SARS-CoV-2 Ag Quick Test Kit Manufacturer Hangzhou Jucheng Medical Products Co., Ltd.
- InstantSure Covid-19 Ag CARD des Herstellers Suzhou Soochow University Saier Immuno Biotech Co., Ltd.
- INNOVA SARS-CoV-2 self-test (Qualitative Antigen Rapid Test) from the manufacturer Innova Medical Group, Inc.
Most of the rapid tests are safe
Although some of the rapid tests failed the test and a total of eleven of them did not detect a single corona infection, the PEI emphasizes: “Most of the antigen rapid tests evaluated met the required conditions and are suitable for the rapid identification of acute infections with a high viral load .” According to PEI President Klaus Cichutek, test centers, pharmacies and supermarkets follow the PEI list, which is why there are no unreliable tests to buy.
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From March 9th, the rapid corona tests for laypeople should be available in pharmacies, supermarkets and drugstores. But how do they work and how are they carried out correctly?
In a few days, the corona self-tests should be available in pharmacies, supermarkets and drugstores. They are intended to help break the chains of corona infection and thus contain the pandemic. In contrast to the rapid PCR tests, no trained medical staff is required to carry out the test for the over-the-counter self-tests, since no deep swab has to be taken from the nasal cavity.
How do the corona self-tests work?
In the previously approved rapid tests for use at home, a swab is taken from the front of the nose. According to studies by the manufacturers, this smear can be carried out by laypersons without any problems. The sample obtained is dipped into a solution and applied to a test strip that looks similar to a pregnancy test. There are antibodies on the surface of the test kit that can dock onto a corona protein. If the antibodies react to this protein, a warning line appears after 15 to 30 minutes, indicating a positive test result.
As reported by the Paul Ehrlich Institute , the sensitivity of the new antigen tests is lower than that of the rapid PCR and laboratory tests. This means that the newly approved self-tests do not detect lower viral loads and are only a snapshot. As such, they can provide a potentially false negative result and affected individuals can still be contagious. Application errors cannot be ruled out either. Therefore, read the instructions for use carefully beforehand.
Corona rapid test: Pay attention to the CE mark
Since there are already many self-tests circulating on the Internet that have not been tested or are even fake, you should pay attention to quality features such as the CE mark when buying. With this, manufacturers ensure compliance with European protection and quality standards. In order to avoid buying hamsters, the sales volume in the shops will initially be reduced. According to Health Minister Jens Spahn, after further tests have been approved, the ban should be lifted.
Spitting and gargling tests are to come
In Austria, the so-called spit and gargle tests are already being used, in which a solution is gargled, then spat out and examined for corona viruses. According to media reports, Health Minister Jens Spahn is planning an approval in this country in the coming weeks.
