{"title":"Testing for COVID-19: a 2023 update.","authors":"Ella M Meumann, Jennifer Mb Robson","doi":"10.18773/austprescr.2023.007","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, are more sensitive for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 than rapid antigen tests (RATS), and are the gold standard for diagnosis of acute COVID-19. However NAATs can remain positive for weeks following infection due to low-level shedding of non-viable viral fragments. RATs (in particular self-testing) are the mainstay of COVID-19 diagnosis due to their convenience, speed and high specificity. The sensitivity of RATs is highest within seven days of symptom onset. A negative RAT result may warrant a NAAT or repeat RAT for confirmation. The presence of spike antibodies is consistent with either vaccination or infection. Nucleocapsid antibodies suggest a previous infection. Serological tests measuring neutralising antibodies that infer immunity are not readily available.</p>","PeriodicalId":55588,"journal":{"name":"Australian Prescriber","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4000,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10664091/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Australian Prescriber","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.18773/austprescr.2023.007","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PHARMACOLOGY & PHARMACY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, are more sensitive for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 than rapid antigen tests (RATS), and are the gold standard for diagnosis of acute COVID-19. However NAATs can remain positive for weeks following infection due to low-level shedding of non-viable viral fragments. RATs (in particular self-testing) are the mainstay of COVID-19 diagnosis due to their convenience, speed and high specificity. The sensitivity of RATs is highest within seven days of symptom onset. A negative RAT result may warrant a NAAT or repeat RAT for confirmation. The presence of spike antibodies is consistent with either vaccination or infection. Nucleocapsid antibodies suggest a previous infection. Serological tests measuring neutralising antibodies that infer immunity are not readily available.
期刊介绍：
Australian Prescriber is Australia''s free, national, independent journal of drugs and therapeutics. It is published every two months online.
Our purpose is to help health professionals make informed choices when prescribing, including whether to prescribe a drug or not. To do this we provide independent, reliable and accessible information.
As well as publishing short didactic reviews, we facilitate debate about complex, controversial or uncertain therapeutic areas.
We are part of NPS MedicineWise, an independent, non-profit organisation providing medicines information and resources for health professionals, and stakeholders involved in the quality use of medicines. NPS MedicineWise is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.
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