THE COMPARISON OF RAPID ANTIBODY ASSAYS AND REAL-TIME PCR FOR DETECTING COVID-19 IN HEALTHY INDONESIAN

Abstract

Asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 are quite high and likely spread the infection, but the capacity of testing in Indonesia is still limited especially Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Rapid antibody test ever was used considerably to mass screen healthy people who COVID-19 suspected in Indonesia. The aims of this study to conduct the comparison of performance characteristics between rapid antibody tests and the gold standard RT-PCR. Fifthy five of healthy volunteers were involved in this study. Nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs were collected from each person to be examined by rapid antibody tests (Vazyme and Clugene kits), and blood samples collected were examined by RT-PCR. The results showed that IgM and/or IgG were detected in 43.14% (22/51) and 28% (14/50) of healthy volunteers by Vazyme and Clugene kits, respectively. For RT-PCR test, 12.7% (7/55) was positive. An overall for healthy volunteer tested, the sensitivity of Vazyme (85.71%) is higher than Clugene (71.43%). Whereas, the specificity and accuracy of Vazyme (63.64% and 66.67%) is lower than Clugene (79.07% and 78%). Both rapid tests have higher NPV (>90%) than PPV (<50%), which demonstrated that these kits may precisely and quickly determined true negative of COVID-19 infection among healthy volunteers, but for positive results of rapid antibody test will be necessary to follow up using RT PCR as confirmation method. Moreover, the present study found few number of false negative that may be recommend to repeat rapid antibody test after 7-10 days after to ensure the body’s immune response. The study showed the performance differents of these antibody kits.