• Diallo Fatimata, Diarra Bassirou, Sarro Yeya Dit Sadio, Tolofoudie Mohamed, Toure Mahamoudou, Diallo Dramane, Togo Antieme Congo Georges, Bane Sidy, Abdou Mohamed, Konate Mama Sy, Dicko Abdoul Razakou, Guindo Ibrehima, Saliba Katy Shaw, Kone Amadou, Mamadou Diakite, and Doumbia Seydou.
• University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, University Clinical Research Center (UCRC).
• Afr Health Sci. 2023 Dec 1; 23 (4): 122131122-131.

IntroductionWhile real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) is the recommended laboratory method to diagnose severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, its use in resource limited settings can be difficult to maintain due to high testing demand and shortage of reagents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performances of Realy Tech™ and Standard Q™ in comparison to RT-PCR in a relatively low COVID-19 prevalence setting, Mali.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study between January and April 2021 in Bamako and Kati regions to evaluate both rapid tests during a large SARS-CoV-2 prevalence study in Mali.ResultsOf the 390 samples tested, the sensitivity and specificity of Realy Tech™ and Standard Q™ were 57.1% (95%CI: 44.1-69.2), 95.8% (95%CI: 93.1-97.5); 61.9% (95%CI: 46.8-75.0), and 94.1% (95%CI: 89.5-96.8) respectively. Using RT-PCR, the global prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was 14.4% (56/390). In both rapid antigen tests, the performance was better when used in suspected patients compared to positive patients under treatment. Moreover, higher viral loads equivalent to Ct < 25 were associated with better detection rates.ConclusionWhile waiting for more complete data, these preliminary studies suggest that Realy Tech™ and Standard Q™ should not be used alone for COVID-19 diagnosis in Mali.© 2023 Fatimata D et al.

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