What are the most reliable rapid antigen tests?

Thu, 6 Jun 2024 04:00:25 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/what-are-the-most-reliable-rapid-antigen-tests>

"Patients across the globe have come to rely on rapid antigen tests (RATs) to
confirm a COVID-19 diagnosis, but a new Australian study has revealed most are
not producing accurate results.

Researchers from James Cook University (JCU) say they were left ‘shocked’ after
an analysis of 26 RATs from Australia and Canada found just six were effective
at detecting the lowest concentration of COVID-19.

One Canadian test failed to detect the COVID-19 protein entirely at any level
of concentration.

The findings come as RAT usage remains high, with 93% of Australians who tested
positive for COVID-19 last year using a RAT to confirm their infection.

Study co-author Associate Professor Patrick Schaeffer said the study’s findings
highlight the need for independent evaluation of RATs, both in Australia and
overseas.

‘What was most shocking in this study was not only that we have some poorly
performing RATs but that there seems to be no easy way to get them off the
shelves,’ he said.

‘There’s no point in having these underperforming RATs sold to people,
especially those which can only detect COVID-19 in people who are at the peak
of their infection.’"

Via Violet Blue’s Pandemic Roundup: May 9, 2024
https://www.patreon.com/posts/pandemic-roundup-103924380

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

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