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Meta-analysis of Diagnostic Performance of Serological Tests for SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies Up to 25 April 2020 and Public Health Implications

Overview
Journal Euro Surveill
Specialty Infectious Diseases
Date 2020 Jun 20
PMID 32553061
Citations 37
Authors
Saverio Caini
Federica Bellerba
Federica Corso
Angelica Diaz-Basabe
Gioacchino Natoli
John Paget
Federica Facciotti
Simone Pietro De Angelis
Sara Raimondi
Domenico Palli
Luca Mazzarella
Pier Giuseppe Pelicci
Paolo Vineis
Sara Gandini
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

We reviewed the diagnostic accuracy of SARS-CoV-2 serological tests. Random-effects models yielded a summary sensitivity of 82% for IgM, and 85% for IgG and total antibodies. For specificity, the pooled estimate were 98% for IgM and 99% for IgG and total antibodies. In populations with ≤ 5% of seroconverted individuals, unless the assays have perfect (i.e. 100%) specificity, the positive predictive value would be ≤ 88%. Serological tests should be used for prevalence surveys only in hard-hit areas.

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