So what is the difference between the antigen test and the new crown nucleic acid rapid test?

Why antigen testing can be an effective supplement to the New Crown Nucleic Acid Rapid Test?

There is a fundamental difference between the antigen test, which detects the main structural proteins of the virus, and the Nucleic Acid Rapid Test, which detects the virus itself with the genetic material DNA/RNA. Most of the currently approved antigen detection products use the N protein of the new coronavirus as the target of antigen detection.

In addition to the difference in the test substance, there is also a major difference in the detection time between the antigen test and the nucleic acid rapid test. Generally speaking antigen testing in can be performed in different locations and at different points in time, the requirements for the detection of the link is low, so the general antigen test in about 20 minutes, the results can be issued. However, the new crown nucleic acid rapid test requires the use of more sophisticated instruments, more sophisticated experiments, the time spent will be relatively longer.

Currently in the market will use a method that tends to POCT (i.e., just-in-time testing, new crown nucleic acid rapid test) to carry out the experimental site from the laboratory to the specific scene, shortening the testing time, but still need several hours to carry out.

So since the time for antigen testing has been shortened relative to the New Coronary Nucleic Acid Rapid Test, why can antigen testing still not replace the New Coronary Nucleic Acid Rapid Test, but rather serve as a powerful complement to the New Coronary Nucleic Acid Rapid Test?

This brings us to the limitations of the methodologies and principles of antigen testing. The sensitivity of the antigen test is usually lower than that of the NIC rapid test in detecting early infections and is also lower than that of the NIC rapid test, and the test is prone to false negative results. Usually, after infection with neointestinal virus, the antigen test can only be detected when the viral load in the infected person reaches a high level during the acute infection period.

In other words, the sensitivity of antigen detection products in the early stage of neo-coronavirus infection in patients with neo-coronavirus will drop sharply, especially for asymptomatic infections. It is prone to false negative results, which is the reason why the current antigen test cannot replace the rapid nucleic acid test for new coronavirus. He can only be used as a strong complement to the Nucleic Acid Rapid Test.

The Nucleic Acid Rapid Test is still the "gold standard" for diagnosing patients with neoplastic coronary artery disease.