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Covid-19-Antigen-Test-Instruction

Covid 19 Antigen Test Instruction

Posted on  December 15, 2020, Edited by Jason, Category  

INTENDED USE COVID-19 Antigen Test

COVID-19 Antigen Test is a lateral flow immunoassay intended for the qualitative detection SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigens in nasopharyngeal swab and oropharyngeal swab from individuals who are suspected of COVID-19 by their healthcare provider.

Results are for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen. Antigen is generally detectable in nasopharyngeal swab and oropharyngeal swab during the acute phase of infection. Positive results indicate the presence of viral antigens, but clinical correlation with patient history and other diagnostic information is necessary to determine infection status. Positive results do not rule out bacterial infection or co-infection with other viruses. The agent detected may not be the definite cause of disease.

Negative results do not rule out SARS-CoV-2 infection and should not be used as the sole basis for treatment or patient management decisions, including infection control decisions. Negative results should be considered in the context of a patient’s recent exposures, history and the presence of clinical signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19, and confirmed with a molecular assay, if necessary for patient management.

COVID-19 Antigen Test is intended for use by trained clinical laboratory personnel specifically instructed and trained in vitro diagnostic procedures.

SUMMARY of COVID-19 Antigen Test

The novel coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2) belong to the β genus. COVID-19 is an acute respiratory infectious disease. People are generally susceptible. Currently, the patients infected by the novel coronavirus are the main source of infection; asymptomatic infected people can also be an infectious source.

Based on the current epidemiological investigation, the incubation period is 1 to 14 days, mostly 3 to 7 days. The main manifestations include fever, fatigue and dry cough. Nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, myalgia and diarrhea are found in a few cases.

PRINCIPLE of COVID-19 Antigen Test

COVID-19 Antigen Test is an immunoassay based on the principle of the double antibody-sandwich technique. COVID-19 Antigen Test is designed to detect nucleocapsid antigen from the SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swab and oropharyngeal swab, from patients who are suspected of COVID-19 by their healthcare provider.

During testing, a specimen migrates upward by capillary action. The SARS-CoV-2 antigens if present in the specimen will bind to the antibody conjugates. The immune complex is then captured on the membrane by the pre-coated SARS-Co-2 nuclenocapsid protein monoclonal antibody, and a visible colored line will show up in the test line region indicating a positive result. In the absence of SARS-CoV-2 antigens, a colored line will not form in the test line region indicating a negative result.

To serve as a procedural control, a colored line will always appear at the control line region, indicating that proper volume of specimen has been added and membrane wicking has occurred.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  • For in vitro diagnostic use only.
  • For healthcare professionals and professionals at point of care sites.
  • Do not use this product as the sole basis to diagnose or exclude SARS-CoV-2 infection or to inform infection status of COVID-19.
  • Do not use after the expiration date.
  • Please read all the information in this leaflet before performing the test.
  • The test cassette should remain in the sealed pouch until use.
  • All specimens should be considered potentially hazardous and handled in the same manner as an infectious agent.
  • The used test cassette should be discarded according to federal, state and local regulations

Components of COVID-19 Antigen Test

The test cassette contains a membrane strip coated with anti-SARS-CoV-2 nuclenocapsid protein monoclonal antibody on the T test line, and a dye pad which contains colloidal gold coupled with SARS-CoV-2 nuclenocapsid protein monoclonal antibody.

The quantity of tests was printed on the labeling.

Materials Provided

  • Test Cassette
  • Extraction Tube
  • Sterilized Swab
  • Dropper Tip
  • Extraction Reagent
  • Package Insert

Materials Required But Not Provided

  • Timer
  • Work Station

STORAGE AND STABILITY

  • Store as packaged in the sealed pouch at temperature (4-30℃ or 40-86℉). The kit is stable within the expiration date printed on the labeling.
  • Once open the pouch, the test should be used within one hour. Prolonged exposure to hot and humid environment will cause product deterioration.
  • The LOT and the expiration date were printed on the labeling.

SPECIMEN for COVID-19 Antigen Test

Specimens obtained early during symptom onset will contain the highest viral titers; specimens obtained after five days of symptoms are more likely to produce negative results when compared to an RT-PCR assay. Inadequate specimen collection, improper specimen handling and/or transport may yield a falsely negative result; therefore, training in specimen collection is highly recommended due to the importance of specimen quality for generating accurate test results.

Sample Collection

Nasopharyngeal Swab Sample

Insert minitip swab with a flexible shaft (wire or plastic) through the nostril parallel to the palate (not upwards) until resistance is encountered or the distance is equivalent to that from the ear to the nostril of the patient, indicating contact with the nasopharynx. Swab should reach depth equal to distance from nostrils to outer opening of the ear. Gently rub and roll the swab. Leave swab in place for several seconds to absorb secretions. Slowly remove swab while rotating it. Specimens can be collected from both sides using the same swab, but it is not necessary to collect specimens from both sides if the minitip is saturated with fluid from the first collection. If a deviated septum or blockage creates difficulty in obtaining the specimen from one nostril, use the same swab to obtain the specimen from the other nostril.

Nasopharyngeal-Swab-Sample
Nasopharyngeal-Swab-Sample

Oropharyngeal Swab Sample

Insert swab into the posterior pharynx and tonsillar areas. Rub swab over both tonsillar pillars and posterior oropharynx and avoid touching the tongue, teeth, and gums.

Oropharyngeal-Swab-Sample
Oropharyngeal-Swab-Sample

Sample Preparation

After Swab specimens were collected, swab can be stored in extraction reagent provided with the kit. Also, can be stored by immersing the swab head in a tube containing 2 to 3 mL of virus preservation solution (or isotonic saline solution, tissue culture solution, or phosphate buffer).

Sample Transport and Storage

Freshly collected specimens should be processed as soon as possible, but no later than one hour after specimen collection. Specimen collected may be stored at 2-8℃ for no more than 24 hours; Store at -70 ℃ for a long time, but avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

SPECIMEN PREPARATION for COVID-19 Antigen Test

  1. Unscrew the lid of an extraction reagent. Add all of the specimen extraction reagent into an extraction tube, and put it on the work station.
  2. Insert the swab sample into the extraction tube which contains extraction reagent. Roll the swab at least 5 times while pressing the head against the bottom and side of the extraction tube. Leave the swab in the extraction tube for one minute.
  3. Remove the swab while squeezing the sides of the tube to extract the liquid from the swab. The extracted solution will be used as test specimen.
  4. Insert a dropper tip into the extraction tube tightly.
SPECIMEN-PREPARATION
(The picture is for references only, please refer to the material object.)

TEST PROCEDURE of COVID-19 Antigen Test

Allow the test device and specimens to equilibrate to temperature (15-30℃ or 59-86℉) prior to testing.

  1. Remove the test cassette from the sealed pouch.
  2. Reverse the specimen extraction tube, holding the specimen extraction tube upright, transfer 3 drops (approximately 100μL) to the specimen well(S) of the test cassette, then start the timer. See illustration below.
  3. Wait for colored lines to appear. Interpret the test results at 15 minutes. Do not read results after 20 minutes.
TEST-PROCEDURE
(The picture is for references only, please refer to the material object.)

INTERPRETATION OF COVID-19 Antigen Test

INTERPRETATION-OF-RESULTS
INTERPRETATION-OF-RESULTS

Positive:*Two lines appear. One colored line should be in the control region (C), and another apparent colored line adjacent should be in the test region (T). Positive for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen. Positive results indicate the presence of viral antigens but clinical correlation with patient history and other diagnostic information is necessary to determine infection status Positive results do not rule out bacterial infection or co-infection with other viruses. The agent detected may not be the definite cause of disease.

Negative: One colored line appears in the control region (C). No line appears in the test region (T). Negative results are presumptive. Negative test results do not preclude infection and should not be used as the sole basis for treatment or other patient management decisions, including infection control decisions, particularly in the presence of clinical signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or in those who have been in contact with the virus. It is recommended that these results be confirmed by a molecular testing method, if necessary, for patient management.

Invalid: Control line fails to appear. Insufficient specimen volume or incorrect procedural techniques are the most likely reasons for control line failure. Review the procedure and repeat the test using a new test cassette. If the problem persists, discontinue using the lot immediately and contact your local distributor.

QUALITY CONTROL

A procedural control is included in the test. A colored line appearing in the control region (C) is considered an internal procedural control. It confirms sufficient specimen volume, adequate membrane wicking and correct procedural technique.

Control standards are not supplied with this kit. However, it is recommended that positive and negative controls be tested as good laboratory practice to confirm the test procedure and to verify proper test performance.

LIMITATION of COVID-19 Antigen Test

  • COVID-19 Antigen Test is limited to provide a qualitative detection. The intensity of the test line does not necessarily correlate to the concentration of the antigen of the specimens.
  • Negative results do not preclude SARS-CoV-2 infection and should not be used as the sole basis for patient management decisions.
  • A physician must interpret the results in conjunction with the patient’s history, physical findings, and other diagnostic procedures.
  • A negative result can occur if the quantity of antigens for the SARS-CoV-2 virus present in the specimen is below the detection threshold of the assay, or the virus has undergone minor amino acid mutation(s) in the target epitope region recognized by the monoclonal antibodies utilized in the test.
  • Proper specimen collection is critical, and failure to follow the procedure may give inaccurate results. Improper specimen collection, improper specimen storage or repeated freezing and thawing of specimens can lead to inaccurate results.

PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS

Limit of Detection (Analytical sensitivity)

The Limit of Detection (LoD) of the COVID-19 Antigen Test is 5×102.67 TCID50/mL (cultured SARS-CoV-2 virus).

Cross Reactivity (Analytical specificity)

Cross reactivity with following Virus or Bacteria culture with certain concentration has been studied. The results were found negative when tested with the COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test:

Virus/BacteriaConcentrationResults
Influenza A (H1N1)1×10^6 PFU/mL-
Influenza A (H3N2)1×10^6 PFU/mL-
Influenza B (Yamagata)1×10^6 PFU/mL-
Influenza B (Victoria)1×10^6 PFU/mL-
Adenovirus1×10^6 PFU/mL-
Human metapneumovirus1×10^6 PFU/mL-
Parainfluenza virus1×10^6 PFU/mL-
Respiratory syncytial virus1×10^6 PFU/mL-
Streptococcus pyogenes1×10^7 PFU/mL-
Candida albicans1×10^7 PFU/mL-
Mycoplasma pneumoniae1×10^7 PFU/mL-
Chlamydia pneumoniae1×10^7 PFU/mL-
Legionella pneumophila1×10^7 PFU/mL-
Human coronavirus 229E1×10^6 PFU/mL-
Human coronavirus OC431×10^6 PFU/mL-
Human coronavirus NL631×10^6 PFU/mL-
Human coronavirus HKU11×10^6 PFU/mL-

Clinical Performance

To estimate the clinical performance between COVID-19 Antigen Test Cassette and the PCR comparator, 162 nasopharyngeal swab were collected from patients who were suspected of COVID-19.
Summary data of COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test by nasopharyngeal swab as below:

COVID-19 AntigenRT-PCRTotal
PositiveNegative
BALLYAPositive27 027
Negative5130135
Total32130162

Positive Percent Agreement (PPA)=84.38% (27/32), (95%CI: 68.25%~93.14%)
Negative Percent Agreement (NPA) =100% (130/130), (95%CI: 97.13%~100%)

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