Comparative Analysis of COVID-19 Serological testing methods to Polymerase Chain Reaction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background Accurate and reliable diagnosis of COVID 19 is essential for effective disease management and public health interventions. SARS CoV 2 antibody/antigen tests play a crucial role in identifying covid 19 infections and assessing immunity in populations. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of SARS CoV 2 antibody tests in diagnosing COVID 19. Method A comprehensive systematic review of the literature was conducted using prominent scientific databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane, and Scopus to search studies published from January 2020 to May 2023. The review followed the PRISMA DTA framework to ensure transparency and rigor in the selection and evaluation of studies. The QUADAS 2 tool was utilized to assess study quality and risk of bias. This review was registered on PROSPERO (registration number CRD 42023445695). Results The pooled sensitivity of SARS CoV 2 antibody/antigen tests was found to be 73% (95% CI: 60 to 86), with individual studies reporting a wide range from 30% to 100%. The pooled specificity was 98% (95% CI: 97 to 100), with values ranging from 85.9% to 100%. The pooled accuracy was 88%, showing variation from 50% to 100% across different studies. Conclusion This review highlights the moderate to high sensitivity and specificity of SARS CoV 2 antibody/antigen tests for COVID-19 diagnosis. The substantial variability in test performance necessitates the standardization of testing protocols and further research to improve accuracy and reliability. These findings offer valuable insights for clinical decision making and the formulation of effective public health strategies related to COVID 19 diagnosis.