A U.S. clinical trial of a COVID-19 rapid test approved by an institutional review board found the specificity of confirmed negative Covid-19 patients by RT-PCR was 100% (95% CI, 88.4%-100.0%); meaning there was 100% agreement between a negative RT-PCR and negative Clungene serological test result. There was over 90% agreement between the Clungene SARS-CoV-2 Virus IgG/IgM 15-minute rapid test and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test in patients who tested positive for the virus after 13 days. The results suggest these tests could be an effective tool for detecting the presence of antibodies in people who have contracted the virus. The trial was conducted by Sharp Healthcare in San Diego, California, and included patients at both in- and out-patient facilities. The trial was carried out before vaccines were widely available. The peer-reviewed original research results were published in the LymphoSign Journal.
“These results are incredibly encouraging because they show that the CLUNGENE SARS-COV-2 VIRUS (COVID-19) IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette is highly effective at identifying individuals with an adaptive immune response indicating recent or prior infection as intended under the US FDA’s current Emergency Use Authorization policy” said Fadi Haddad, MD, an infectious disease expert with the Sharp Medical Community Group, who helped conduct the study. “This is incredibly important at a time when millions of people remain unvaccinated and the potential for infection is still a very real concern.”
The Clungeneâ SARS-CoV-2 Virus (COVID-19) IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette produces results in 15 minutes. The test does not require complicated laboratory equipment to process readouts.
“We are extremely proud of the results of the trial,” said Proven CEO Scott Wise. “The trial confirms the role of tests like the Clungene SARS-CoV-2 Virus IgG/IgM 15-minute rapid test to assist health care professionals. Its simplicity and ease of use make it a useful diagnostic tool.”
