Diagnostic performances of four commercially available assays for the identification of SARS-CoV-2, influenza type A/B virus and RSV

Abstract

We evaluated the diagnostic performance of 4 commercially NAAT for detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA, Influenza type A/B virus and RSV. Included tests were the Allplex™ SARS-CoV-2 fast PCR Assay (RNA extraction-free), Allplex™ RV Master Assay, Allplex™ SARS-CoV-2 fast MDx Assay (LAMP) and Aptima™ SARS-CoV-2/Flu Assay (RT-TMA). The assays' performance characteristics were determined using nasopharyngeal swabs from 270 patients with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection. A total of 215 SARS-CoV-2 positive, 55 negative nasopharyngeal swabs and 19 bacteria strains were included. The sensitivities and specificities for detecting SARS-CoV-2, Influenza type A virus and RSV ranged between 81.8% and 100% with extremely good agreements (κ ≥ 86.8 %). The Aptima™ SARS-CoV-2/Flu Assay introduced a new result parameter, that is, TTime. Here, we showed that TTime may be used as a surrogate for Ct-value. We concluded that all assays assessed in this study can be used for routine detection of SARS-CoV-2, Influenza type A virus and RSV.

Keywords: COVID-19; Comparison; RT-PCR; RT-TMA; SARS-CoV-2.