'COVID-19 rapid diagnostic test could contain transmission in low- and middle-income countries'
Date
2020-04-01
Authors
Olalekan, A
Iwalokun, B
Akinloye, O.M
Poopola, O
Samuel, T.A
Akinloye, O
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine; Vol 9, No 1 (2020)
Abstract
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has impacted heavily on global health. Although
real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the current diagnostic method, challenges for
low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) necessitate cheaper, higher-throughput, reliable
rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs).
Objective: We reviewed the documented performance characteristics of available COVID-19
RDTs to understand their public health utility in the ongoing pandemic, especially in resourcescarce
LMIC settings.
Methods: Using a scoping review methodology framework, common literature databases and
documentary reports were searched up to 22 April 2020, irrespective of geographical location.
The search terms included ‘SARS-CoV-2 AND serological testing’ and ‘COVID-19 AND
serological testing’.
Results: A total of 18 RDTs produced in eight countries, namely China (6; 33.33%), the
United States (4; 22.22%), Germany (2; 11.11%), Singapore (2; 11.11%), Canada, Kenya,
Korea and Belgium (1 each; 5.56%), were evaluated. Reported sensitivity ranged from
18.4% to 100% (average = 84.7%), whereas specificity ranged from 90.6% to 100%
(average = 95.6%). The testing time ranged from 2 min to 30 min. Of the 12 validated
RDTs, the IgM/IgG duo kit with non-colloidal gold labelling system was reported to
elicit the highest sensitivity (98% – 100%) and specificity (98% – 99% for IgG and 96% –
99% for IgM).
Conclusion: We found reports of high sensitivity and specificity among the developed RDTs
that could complement RT-PCR for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, especially for
screening in LMICs. However, it is necessary to validate these kits locally.
Description
Keywords
Coronavirus disease; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; rapid diagnostic test; low- and middle-income countries.