Laboratory Evaluation Links Some False-Positive COVID-19 Antigen Test Results Observed in a Field Study to a Specific Lot of Test Strips. (5th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carter, Alyssa M; Viloria Winnett, Alexander; Romano, Anna E; Akana, Reid; Shelby, Natasha; Ismagilov, Rustem F
• Is Part Of: Open forum infectious diseases. Volume 10:Number 1(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01-05
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- diagnostics -- false positive -- faulty lot -- lateral flow test -- Quidel QuickVue; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac701
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2328-8957

Abstract

Abstract: During a household-transmission field study using COVID-19 antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDT), a common test strip lot was identified among 3 participants with false-positive results. In blinded laboratory evaluation, this lot exhibited a significantly higher false-positive rate than other lots. Because a positive Ag-RDT result often prompts action, reducing lot-specific false positives can maintain confidence and actionability of true-positive Ag-RDT results.