• May 5, 2021

SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test

The SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test is a rapid and reliable chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of specific SARS-CoV-2 antigens present in the human nasopharynx.

This test is an aid to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus antigen in people suspected of COVID-19. This product is strictly designed for professional use in laboratory and point-of-care environments.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an enveloped single-stranded RNA virus of the Coronaviridae family. Coronaviruses share structural similarities and are composed of 16 non-structural proteins and 4 structural proteins: peak (S), envelope (E), membrane (M), and nucleocapsid (N). Coronaviruses cause illnesses with symptoms ranging from mild to the severe common cold, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 1,2.

SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted from person to person mainly through respiratory droplets, while indirect transmission through contaminated surfaces is also possible3-6. The virus accesses host cells through the receptor for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is more abundant in the lungs7,8.

The incubation period for COVID-19 varies from 2 to 14 days after exposure, and most cases show symptoms approximately 4 to 5 days after exposure3,9,10. The spectrum of symptomatic infection ranges from mild (fever, cough, fatigue, loss of smell and taste, shortness of breath) to critical11,12.

Although most symptomatic cases are not severe, severe disease occurs predominantly in older adults or with underlying medical comorbidities and requires intensive care. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a major complication in patients with severe disease. Critical cases are characterized by, for example, respiratory failure, shock, and/or multiple organ dysfunction or failure11,13,14

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