CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en-US"> <head > <meta charset="UTF-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /> <meta name='robots' content='index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1' />  <title>Performance characteristics of COVID-19 tests: a comparative study from Dr. Ulrich Eigner - Clinical Conversations</title> <meta name="description" content="Dr. Ulrich Eigner, Head of Studies in Infection Diagnostics at MVZ Labor Dr. Limbach Heidelberg, evaluates the clinical performance of the TaqPathTM COVID-19 CE-IVD RT-PCR Kit as compared to cobas® SARS-CoV-2 Assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2." /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/performance-characteristics-of-covid-19-tests-a-comparative-study-from-dr-ulrich-eigner/" /> <meta property="og:locale" content="en_US" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Performance characteristics of COVID-19 tests: a comparative study from Dr. Ulrich Eigner" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Dr. Ulrich Eigner, Head of Studies in Infection Diagnostics at MVZ Labor Dr. Limbach Heidelberg, evaluates the clinical performance of the TaqPathTM COVID-19 CE-IVD RT-PCR Kit as compared to cobas® SARS-CoV-2 Assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2." /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/performance-characteristics-of-covid-19-tests-a-comparative-study-from-dr-ulrich-eigner/" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Clinical Conversations" /> <meta property="article:publisher" content="https://www.facebook.com/thermofisher" /> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2021-11-04T19:23:31+00:00" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2022-10-05T17:51:27+00:00" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/11/TPOG-310x274-1.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:width" content="310" /> <meta property="og:image:height" content="274" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpeg" /> <meta name="author" content="onbeat" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:creator" content="@thermofisher" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@thermofisher" /> <meta name="twitter:label1" content="Written by" /> <meta name="twitter:data1" content="onbeat" /> <meta name="twitter:label2" content="Est. reading time" /> <meta name="twitter:data2" content="4 minutes" /> <script type="application/ld+json" class="yoast-schema-graph">{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/performance-characteristics-of-covid-19-tests-a-comparative-study-from-dr-ulrich-eigner/","url":"https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/performance-characteristics-of-covid-19-tests-a-comparative-study-from-dr-ulrich-eigner/","name":"Performance characteristics of COVID-19 tests: a comparative study from Dr. Ulrich Eigner - Clinical Conversations","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/performance-characteristics-of-covid-19-tests-a-comparative-study-from-dr-ulrich-eigner/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/performance-characteristics-of-covid-19-tests-a-comparative-study-from-dr-ulrich-eigner/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/11/TPOG-310x274-1.jpg","datePublished":"2021-11-04T19:23:31+00:00","dateModified":"2022-10-05T17:51:27+00:00","author":{"@id":"https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/#/schema/person/1b2dd2b0198769d0c9e623039257ceb8"},"description":"Dr. Ulrich Eigner, Head of Studies in Infection Diagnostics at MVZ Labor Dr. Limbach Heidelberg, evaluates the clinical performance of the TaqPathTM COVID-19 CE-IVD RT-PCR Kit as compared to cobas® SARS-CoV-2 Assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/performance-characteristics-of-covid-19-tests-a-comparative-study-from-dr-ulrich-eigner/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/performance-characteristics-of-covid-19-tests-a-comparative-study-from-dr-ulrich-eigner/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/performance-characteristics-of-covid-19-tests-a-comparative-study-from-dr-ulrich-eigner/#primaryimage","url":"https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/11/TPOG-310x274-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/11/TPOG-310x274-1.jpg","width":310,"height":274},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/performance-characteristics-of-covid-19-tests-a-comparative-study-from-dr-ulrich-eigner/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Performance characteristics of COVID-19 tests: a comparative study from Dr. Ulrich Eigner"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/#website","url":"https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/","name":"Clinical Conversations","description":"Molecular testing content for clinical lab professionals and clinicians","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/#/schema/person/1b2dd2b0198769d0c9e623039257ceb8","name":"onbeat","url":"https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/author/onbeat/"}]}</script>  <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//www.thermofisher.com' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//stats.wp.com' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//use.fontawesome.com' /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Clinical Conversations » Feed" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/feed/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Clinical Conversations » Comments Feed" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/comments/feed/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Clinical Conversations » Performance characteristics of COVID-19 tests: a comparative study from Dr. Ulrich Eigner Comments Feed" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/performance-characteristics-of-covid-19-tests-a-comparative-study-from-dr-ulrich-eigner/feed/" />  <script src="https://cdn.optimizely.com/js/8156647427.js"></script>  <script> (function(h,o,t,j,a,r){ h.hj=h.hj||function(){(h.hj.q=h.hj.q||[]).push(arguments)}; h._hjSettings={hjid:373708,hjsv:5}; a=o.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]; r=o.createElement('script');r.async=1; r.src=t+h._hjSettings.hjid+j+h._hjSettings.hjsv; a.appendChild(r); })(window,document,'//static.hotjar.com/c/hotjar-','.js?sv='); </script>  <script src="//www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-TJ18KZWFVE" data-cfasync="false" data-wpfc-render="false" type="text/javascript" async></script> <script data-cfasync="false" data-wpfc-render="false" type="text/javascript"> var mi_version = '9.2.0'; var mi_track_user = true; var mi_no_track_reason = ''; var MonsterInsightsDefaultLocations = {"page_location":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/clinical-conversations\/performance-characteristics-of-covid-19-tests-a-comparative-study-from-dr-ulrich-eigner\/"}; if ( typeof MonsterInsightsPrivacyGuardFilter === 'function' ) { var MonsterInsightsLocations = (typeof MonsterInsightsExcludeQuery === 'object') ? MonsterInsightsPrivacyGuardFilter( MonsterInsightsExcludeQuery ) : MonsterInsightsPrivacyGuardFilter( MonsterInsightsDefaultLocations ); } else { var MonsterInsightsLocations = (typeof MonsterInsightsExcludeQuery === 'object') ? MonsterInsightsExcludeQuery : MonsterInsightsDefaultLocations; } var disableStrs = [ 'ga-disable-G-TJ18KZWFVE', ]; /* Function to detect opted out users */ function __gtagTrackerIsOptedOut() { for (var index = 0; index < disableStrs.length; index++) { if (document.cookie.indexOf(disableStrs[index] + '=true') > -1) { return true; } } return false; } /* Disable tracking if the opt-out cookie exists. */ if (__gtagTrackerIsOptedOut()) { for (var index = 0; index < disableStrs.length; index++) { window[disableStrs[index]] = true; } } /* Opt-out function */ function __gtagTrackerOptout() { for (var index = 0; index < disableStrs.length; index++) { document.cookie = disableStrs[index] + '=true; expires=Thu, 31 Dec 2099 23:59:59 UTC; path=/'; window[disableStrs[index]] = true; } } if ('undefined' === typeof gaOptout) { function gaOptout() { __gtagTrackerOptout(); } } window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; window.MonsterInsightsDualTracker = { helpers: {}, trackers: {}, }; if (mi_track_user) { function __gtagDataLayer() { dataLayer.push(arguments); } function __gtagTracker(type, name, parameters) { if (!parameters) { parameters = {}; } if (parameters.send_to) { __gtagDataLayer.apply(null, arguments); return; } if (type === 'event') { parameters.send_to = monsterinsights_frontend.v4_id; var hookName = name; if (typeof parameters['event_category'] !== 'undefined') { hookName = parameters['event_category'] + ':' + name; } if (typeof MonsterInsightsDualTracker.trackers[hookName] !== 'undefined') { MonsterInsightsDualTracker.trackers[hookName](parameters); } else { __gtagDataLayer('event', name, parameters); } } else { __gtagDataLayer.apply(null, arguments); } } __gtagTracker('js', new Date()); __gtagTracker('set', { 'developer_id.dZGIzZG': true, }); if ( MonsterInsightsLocations.page_location ) { __gtagTracker('set', MonsterInsightsLocations); } __gtagTracker('config', 'G-TJ18KZWFVE', {"use_amp_client_id":"true","forceSSL":"true","link_attribution":"true","author":"user-1556","category":"Case studies","published_at":"2021-11-04T12:23:31-07:00","tags":"content-Webinar,COVID-19,qPCR,sars-cov-2,SGTF"} ); window.gtag = __gtagTracker; (function () { /* https://developers.google.com/analytics/devguides/collection/analyticsjs/ */ /* ga and __gaTracker compatibility shim. */ var noopfn = function () { return null; }; var newtracker = function () { return new Tracker(); }; var Tracker = function () { return null; }; var p = Tracker.prototype; p.get = noopfn; p.set = noopfn; p.send = function () { var args = Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments); args.unshift('send'); __gaTracker.apply(null, args); }; var __gaTracker = function () { var len = arguments.length; if (len === 0) { return; } var f = arguments[len - 1]; if (typeof f !== 'object' || f === null || typeof f.hitCallback !== 'function') { if ('send' === arguments[0]) { var hitConverted, hitObject = false, action; if ('event' === arguments[1]) { if ('undefined' !== typeof arguments[3]) { hitObject = { 'eventAction': arguments[3], 'eventCategory': arguments[2], 'eventLabel': arguments[4], 'value': arguments[5] ? arguments[5] : 1, } } } if ('pageview' === arguments[1]) { if ('undefined' !== typeof arguments[2]) { hitObject = { 'eventAction': 'page_view', 'page_path': arguments[2], } } } if (typeof arguments[2] === 'object') { hitObject = arguments[2]; } if (typeof arguments[5] === 'object') { Object.assign(hitObject, arguments[5]); } if ('undefined' !== typeof arguments[1].hitType) { hitObject = arguments[1]; if ('pageview' === hitObject.hitType) { hitObject.eventAction = 'page_view'; } } if (hitObject) { action = 'timing' === arguments[1].hitType ? 'timing_complete' : hitObject.eventAction; hitConverted = mapArgs(hitObject); __gtagTracker('event', action, hitConverted); } } return; } function mapArgs(args) { var arg, hit = {}; var gaMap = { 'eventCategory': 'event_category', 'eventAction': 'event_action', 'eventLabel': 'event_label', 'eventValue': 'event_value', 'nonInteraction': 'non_interaction', 'timingCategory': 'event_category', 'timingVar': 'name', 'timingValue': 'value', 'timingLabel': 'event_label', 'page': 'page_path', 'location': 'page_location', 'title': 'page_title', 'referrer' : 'page_referrer', }; for (arg in args) { if (!(!args.hasOwnProperty(arg) || !gaMap.hasOwnProperty(arg))) { hit[gaMap[arg]] = args[arg]; } else { hit[arg] = args[arg]; } } return hit; } try { f.hitCallback(); } catch (ex) { } }; __gaTracker.create = newtracker; __gaTracker.getByName = newtracker; __gaTracker.getAll = function () { return []; }; __gaTracker.remove = noopfn; __gaTracker.loaded = true; window['__gaTracker'] = __gaTracker; })(); } else { console.log(""); (function () { function __gtagTracker() { return null; } window['__gtagTracker'] = __gtagTracker; window['gtag'] = __gtagTracker; })(); } </script>  <link rel='stylesheet' id='clinical-conversations-css' href='https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/themes/clinical-conversations/style.css?ver=1.2.81732372929' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-block-library-css' href='https://www.thermofisher.com/blog//wp-includes/css/dist/block-library/style.min.css?ver=6.6.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='mediaelement-css' href='https://www.thermofisher.com/blog//wp-includes/js/mediaelement/mediaelementplayer-legacy.min.css?ver=4.2.17' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-mediaelement-css' href='https://www.thermofisher.com/blog//wp-includes/js/mediaelement/wp-mediaelement.min.css?ver=6.6.1' type='text/css' media='all' /> <style id='jetpack-sharing-buttons-style-inline-css' type='text/css'> .jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list{display:flex;flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0;list-style-type:none;margin:5px;padding:0}.jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list.has-small-icon-size{font-size:12px}.jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list.has-normal-icon-size{font-size:16px}.jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list.has-large-icon-size{font-size:24px}.jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list.has-huge-icon-size{font-size:36px}@media print{.jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list{display:none!important}}.editor-styles-wrapper .wp-block-jetpack-sharing-buttons{gap:0;padding-inline-start:0}ul.jetpack-sharing-buttons__services-list.has-background{padding:1.25em 2.375em} </style> <style id='classic-theme-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> /*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} </style> <style id='global-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> :root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square: 1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3: 4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4: 3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2: 3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3: 2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9: 16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16: 9/16;--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small: 13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20: 0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30: 0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40: 1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural: 6px 6px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep: 12px 12px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined: 6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1), 6px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap: 0.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}body .is-layout-grid{display: grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;} :where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;} :where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;} :root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size: 1.5em;line-height: 1.6;} </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='gform_basic-css' href='https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/assets/css/dist/basic.min.css?ver=2.8.17' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='gform_theme_components-css' href='https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/assets/css/dist/theme-components.min.css?ver=2.8.17' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='gform_theme_ie11-css' href='https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/assets/css/dist/theme-ie11.min.css?ver=2.8.17' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='gform_theme-css' href='https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/assets/css/dist/theme.min.css?ver=2.8.17' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='gforms_reset_css-css' href='https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/legacy/css/formreset.min.css?ver=2.8.17' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='gforms_formsmain_css-css' href='https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/legacy/css/formsmain.min.css?ver=2.8.17' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='gforms_ready_class_css-css' href='https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/legacy/css/readyclass.min.css?ver=2.8.17' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='gforms_browsers_css-css' href='https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/legacy/css/browsers.min.css?ver=2.8.17' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='globals-css' href='https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/themes/clinical-conversations/global-style.css?ver=1687285059' type='text/css' media='' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='bfa-font-awesome-css' href='https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.4/css/all.css?ver=2.0.3' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='bfa-font-awesome-v4-shim-css' href='https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.4/css/v4-shims.css?ver=2.0.3' type='text/css' media='all' /> <style id='bfa-font-awesome-v4-shim-inline-css' type='text/css'> @font-face { font-family: 'FontAwesome'; src: url('https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.4/webfonts/fa-brands-400.eot'), url('https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.4/webfonts/fa-brands-400.eot?#iefix') format('embedded-opentype'), url('https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.4/webfonts/fa-brands-400.woff2') format('woff2'), url('https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.4/webfonts/fa-brands-400.woff') format('woff'), url('https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.4/webfonts/fa-brands-400.ttf') format('truetype'), url('https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.4/webfonts/fa-brands-400.svg#fontawesome') format('svg'); } @font-face { font-family: 'FontAwesome'; src: url('https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.4/webfonts/fa-solid-900.eot'), url('https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.4/webfonts/fa-solid-900.eot?#iefix') format('embedded-opentype'), url('https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.4/webfonts/fa-solid-900.woff2') format('woff2'), url('https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.4/webfonts/fa-solid-900.woff') format('woff'), url('https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.4/webfonts/fa-solid-900.ttf') format('truetype'), url('https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.4/webfonts/fa-solid-900.svg#fontawesome') format('svg'); } @font-face { font-family: 'FontAwesome'; src: url('https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.4/webfonts/fa-regular-400.eot'), url('https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.4/webfonts/fa-regular-400.eot?#iefix') format('embedded-opentype'), url('https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.4/webfonts/fa-regular-400.woff2') format('woff2'), url('https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.4/webfonts/fa-regular-400.woff') format('woff'), url('https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.4/webfonts/fa-regular-400.ttf') format('truetype'), url('https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v5.15.4/webfonts/fa-regular-400.svg#fontawesome') format('svg'); unicode-range: U+F004-F005,U+F007,U+F017,U+F022,U+F024,U+F02E,U+F03E,U+F044,U+F057-F059,U+F06E,U+F070,U+F075,U+F07B-F07C,U+F080,U+F086,U+F089,U+F094,U+F09D,U+F0A0,U+F0A4-F0A7,U+F0C5,U+F0C7-F0C8,U+F0E0,U+F0EB,U+F0F3,U+F0F8,U+F0FE,U+F111,U+F118-F11A,U+F11C,U+F133,U+F144,U+F146,U+F14A,U+F14D-F14E,U+F150-F152,U+F15B-F15C,U+F164-F165,U+F185-F186,U+F191-F192,U+F1AD,U+F1C1-F1C9,U+F1CD,U+F1D8,U+F1E3,U+F1EA,U+F1F6,U+F1F9,U+F20A,U+F247-F249,U+F24D,U+F254-F25B,U+F25D,U+F267,U+F271-F274,U+F279,U+F28B,U+F28D,U+F2B5-F2B6,U+F2B9,U+F2BB,U+F2BD,U+F2C1-F2C2,U+F2D0,U+F2D2,U+F2DC,U+F2ED,U+F328,U+F358-F35B,U+F3A5,U+F3D1,U+F410,U+F4AD; } </style> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/plugins/google-analytics-premium/assets/js/frontend-gtag.min.js?ver=9.2.0" id="monsterinsights-frontend-script-js" async="async" data-wp-strategy="async"></script> <script data-cfasync="false" data-wpfc-render="false" type="text/javascript" id='monsterinsights-frontend-script-js-extra'>/* <![CDATA[ */ var monsterinsights_frontend = {"js_events_tracking":"true","download_extensions":"doc,pdf,ppt,zip,xls,docx,pptx,xlsx","inbound_paths":"[{\"path\":\"\\\/go\\\/\",\"label\":\"affiliate\"},{\"path\":\"\\\/recommend\\\/\",\"label\":\"affiliate\"}]","home_url":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/clinical-conversations","hash_tracking":"false","v4_id":"G-TJ18KZWFVE"};/* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog//wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery.min.js?ver=3.7.1" id="jquery-core-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog//wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery-migrate.min.js?ver=3.4.1" id="jquery-migrate-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/plugins/mashshare-google-analytics/assets/js/mashga.min.js?ver=1.0.9" id="mashga-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog//wp-includes/js/underscore.min.js?ver=1.13.4" id="underscore-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog//wp-includes/js/backbone.min.js?ver=1.5.0" id="backbone-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="wp-api-js-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var WP_API_Settings = {"root":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/clinical-conversations","nonce":"ba522f8159"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/plugins/wp-search-live/public/assets/js/util--wp-api.js?ver=0.9" id="wp-api-js-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" defer='defer' src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/js/jquery.json.min.js?ver=2.8.17" id="gform_json-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="gform_gravityforms-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var gf_global = {"gf_currency_config":{"name":"U.S. Dollar","symbol_left":"$","symbol_right":"","symbol_padding":"","thousand_separator":",","decimal_separator":".","decimals":2,"code":"USD"},"base_url":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/clinical-conversations\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms","number_formats":[],"spinnerUrl":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/clinical-conversations\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms\/images\/spinner.svg","version_hash":"4a792b070322e711c2521ee9802c04ea","strings":{"newRowAdded":"New row added.","rowRemoved":"Row removed","formSaved":"The form has been saved. The content contains the link to return and complete the form."}}; var gf_global = {"gf_currency_config":{"name":"U.S. Dollar","symbol_left":"$","symbol_right":"","symbol_padding":"","thousand_separator":",","decimal_separator":".","decimals":2,"code":"USD"},"base_url":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/clinical-conversations\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms","number_formats":[],"spinnerUrl":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/clinical-conversations\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms\/images\/spinner.svg","version_hash":"4a792b070322e711c2521ee9802c04ea","strings":{"newRowAdded":"New row added.","rowRemoved":"Row removed","formSaved":"The form has been saved. The content contains the link to return and complete the form."}}; var gform_i18n = {"datepicker":{"days":{"monday":"Mo","tuesday":"Tu","wednesday":"We","thursday":"Th","friday":"Fr","saturday":"Sa","sunday":"Su"},"months":{"january":"January","february":"February","march":"March","april":"April","may":"May","june":"June","july":"July","august":"August","september":"September","october":"October","november":"November","december":"December"},"firstDay":1,"iconText":"Select date"}}; var gf_legacy_multi = {"1":"","":"1"}; var gform_gravityforms = {"strings":{"invalid_file_extension":"This type of file is not allowed. Must be one of the following:","delete_file":"Delete this file","in_progress":"in progress","file_exceeds_limit":"File exceeds size limit","illegal_extension":"This type of file is not allowed.","max_reached":"Maximum number of files reached","unknown_error":"There was a problem while saving the file on the server","currently_uploading":"Please wait for the uploading to complete","cancel":"Cancel","cancel_upload":"Cancel this upload","cancelled":"Cancelled"},"vars":{"images_url":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/clinical-conversations\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms\/images"}}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" id="gform_gravityforms-js-before"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var gform;gform||(document.addEventListener("gform_main_scripts_loaded",function(){gform.scriptsLoaded=!0}),window.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){gform.domLoaded=!0}),gform={domLoaded:!1,scriptsLoaded:!1,initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.domLoaded&&gform.scriptsLoaded?o():!gform.domLoaded&&gform.scriptsLoaded?window.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",o):document.addEventListener("gform_main_scripts_loaded",o)},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,n,r,t){gform.addHook("action",o,n,r,t)},addFilter:function(o,n,r,t){gform.addHook("filter",o,n,r,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook("action",o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook("filter",o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,n){gform.removeHook("action",o,n)},removeFilter:function(o,n,r){gform.removeHook("filter",o,n,r)},addHook:function(o,n,r,t,i){null==gform.hooks[o][n]&&(gform.hooks[o][n]=[]);var e=gform.hooks[o][n];null==i&&(i=n+"_"+e.length),gform.hooks[o][n].push({tag:i,callable:r,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(n,o,r){var t;if(r=Array.prototype.slice.call(r,1),null!=gform.hooks[n][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[n][o]).sort(function(o,n){return o.priority-n.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){"function"!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),"action"==n?t.apply(null,r):r[0]=t.apply(null,r)})),"filter"==n)return r[0]},removeHook:function(o,n,t,i){var r;null!=gform.hooks[o][n]&&(r=(r=gform.hooks[o][n]).filter(function(o,n,r){return!!(null!=i&&i!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][n]=r)}}); /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" defer='defer' src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/js/gravityforms.min.js?ver=2.8.17" id="gform_gravityforms-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" defer='defer' src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/js/chosen.jquery.min.js?ver=2.8.17" id="gform_chosen-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" defer='defer' src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/assets/js/dist/utils.min.js?ver=50c7bea9c2320e16728e44ae9fde5f26" id="gform_gravityforms_utils-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/themes/clinical-conversations/js/single-scripts.js?ver=1.2.81732372929" id="single-scripts-js"></script> <link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-json/" /><link rel="alternate" title="JSON" type="application/json" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/793" /><link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/xmlrpc.php?rsd" /> <link rel='shortlink' href='https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/?p=793' /> <link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (JSON)" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thermofisher.com%2Fblog%2Fclinical-conversations%2Fperformance-characteristics-of-covid-19-tests-a-comparative-study-from-dr-ulrich-eigner%2F" /> <link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (XML)" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thermofisher.com%2Fblog%2Fclinical-conversations%2Fperformance-characteristics-of-covid-19-tests-a-comparative-study-from-dr-ulrich-eigner%2F&format=xml" />  <style>img#wpstats{display:none}</style> <link rel="icon" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/themes/clinical-conversations/images/favicon.ico" /> <link rel="pingback" href="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/xmlrpc.php" /> <script type="application/ld+json"> {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BlogPosting","mainEntityofPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/clinical-conversations\/performance-characteristics-of-covid-19-tests-a-comparative-study-from-dr-ulrich-eigner\/"},"headline":"Performance characteristics of COVID-19 tests: a comparative study from Dr. Ulrich Eigner","datePublished":"11\/04\/2021","dateModified":"11\/04\/2021","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Thermo Fisher Scientific","URL":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/us\/en\/home.html","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/clinical-conversations\/wp-content\/themes\/clinical-conversations\/images\/logo.png"}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/clinical-conversations\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2021\/11\/TPOG-310x274-1.jpg","width":310,"height":274},"keywords":"content-Webinar, COVID-19, qPCR, sars-cov-2, SGTF, ","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"onbeat"}} </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.thermofisher.com/etc/designs/lifetech/clientlibs/digitaldata.js" defer="defer"></script> <script id="tagmanager" type="text/javascript" src='https://assets.adobedtm.com/launch-ENeecb77f1160a4928a492ff040f7110c7.min.js' defer="defer"></script> <script> (function($) { $(document).ready(function() { digitalData.setPageType('blog'); }) })(jQuery); </script> </head> <body class="post-template-default single single-post postid-793 single-format-standard header-image header-full-width full-width-content genesis-breadcrumbs-hidden"><div class="site-container"><header class="site-header"><div class="wrap"><div class="title-area"><p class="site-title"><a href="https://www.thermofisher.com/" title="Thermo Fisher Scientific">Thermo Fisher Scientific</a></p><p class="site-description">Molecular testing content for clinical lab professionals and clinicians</p></div></div></header> <nav role="navigation" class="top-menu tm" style=""> <ul> <li><a href="#" aria-haspopup="true">Categories<div data-uw-styling-context="true"><b data-uw-styling-context="true"></b></div></a> <ul class="dropdown" aria-label="submenu"> <li><a href=" https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/science-and-education/">Science and education</a></li> <li><a href=" https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/product-news/">Product news</a></li> <li><a href=" https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/case-studies/">Case studies</a></li> <li><a href=" https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/perspectives/">Perspectives</a></li> <li><a href=" https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/events/">Events</a></li> <li><a href=" https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/news/">News</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="site-inner"><div class="content-sidebar-wrap"><main class="content"><article class="post-793 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail category-case-studies tag-content-webinar tag-covid-19 tag-qpcr tag-sars-cov-2 tag-sgtf entry" aria-label="Performance characteristics of COVID-19 tests: a comparative study from Dr. Ulrich Eigner"><header class="entry-header"><h1 class="entry-title">Performance characteristics of COVID-19 tests: a comparative study from Dr. Ulrich Eigner</h1> <script type="text/javascript"> function cc_toggle(id){ var s = document.getElementById(id); if(isHidden(s)){ s.style.display = 'inline'; } else { s.style.display = 'none'; } } function isHidden(element){ var style = window.getComputedStyle(element); return (style.display === 'none'); } </script> <span class="cc_sidebar"> <span class="cc_color_bar"> <span class="cc_home_icon"> <a href="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/"><img src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/themes/clinical-conversations/images/icon_home.png" alt="Clinical Conversation blog - home icon" /></a> </span> <span class="cc_post_category"> <a class='cc_colorbar_category' href='https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/category/case-studies/'>Case studies</a> </span>  <span id="cc_post_readtime"> 4 mins. </span> <span class="cc_toggle_social"> <a href="javascript:cc_toggle('cc_jetpack_shares');">Sharing ▼</a> </span> <span class="cc_toggle"> <a href="javascript:cc_toggle('cc_metadata');">Details ▼</a> </span> </span> </span> <span id="cc_jetpack_shares"> <ul> <li><a target="_blank" href='https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thermofisher.com%2Fblog%2Fclinical-conversations%2Fperformance-characteristics-of-covid-19-tests-a-comparative-study-from-dr-ulrich-eigner%2F&title=Performance+characteristics+of+COVID-19+tests%3A+a+comparative+study+from+Dr.+Ulrich+Eigner'><img src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations//wp-content/themes/clinical-conversations/images/social_icons_linkedin.jpg" alt="Linked In sharing icon" /></a></li> <li><a target="_blank" href='https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thermofisher.com%2Fblog%2Fclinical-conversations%2Fperformance-characteristics-of-covid-19-tests-a-comparative-study-from-dr-ulrich-eigner%2F'><img src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations//wp-content/themes/clinical-conversations/images/social_icons_facebook.jpg" alt="Facebook sharing icon" /></a></li> <li><a target="_blank" href='https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Performance+characteristics+of+COVID-19+tests%3A+a+comparative+study+from+Dr.+Ulrich+Eigner&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thermofisher.com%2Fblog%2Fclinical-conversations%2Fperformance-characteristics-of-covid-19-tests-a-comparative-study-from-dr-ulrich-eigner%2F&'><img src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations//wp-content/themes/clinical-conversations/images/social_icons_twitter.jpg" alt="Twitter sharing icon" /></a></li> <li><a href='mailto:?subject=You might be interested in Performance characteristics of COVID-19 tests: a comparative study from Dr. Ulrich Eigner from the Clinical Conversations blog.&body=You might be interested in Performance characteristics of COVID-19 tests: a comparative study from Dr. Ulrich Eigner from the Clinical Conversations blog at https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thermofisher.com%2Fblog%2Fclinical-conversations%2Fperformance-characteristics-of-covid-19-tests-a-comparative-study-from-dr-ulrich-eigner%2F'><img src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/themes/clinical-conversations/images/icon_email.png" alt="Email sharing icon" /></a></li> </ul> </span> <span id="cc_metadata"> <span class="cc_dateline"> <span class="post-info-date">  4 Nov 2021 </span> || <span class="post-info-author">   By Manoj Gandhi, M.D., Ph.D. </span> </span> <span class="cc_shares"> <span class="cc_shares_subhead" >Shares: <span class="share_count">0</span> </span> </span> <span class="cc_version"> <span class="cc_version_subhead">Versions of this article</span> Original article. </span> <span class="cc_post_tags"> <span class="cc_post_tags_subhead">Tags</span> <a href='https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/tag/covid-19/'>COVID-19</a>, <a href='https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/tag/qpcr/'>QPCR</a>, <a href='https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/tag/sars-cov-2/'>Sars-cov-2</a>, <a href='https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/tag/sgtf/'>SGTF</a> </span>   </span> <script type="text/javascript"> cc_toggle('cc_metadata'); cc_toggle('cc_jetpack_shares'); </script> </header><div class="entry-content"><p>With over 240 million cases and more than 4.9 million deaths reported worldwide since the beginning of the pandemic<sup data-uw-styling-context="true">1</sup>, SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing remains critical for countries with high rates of COVID-19. Diagnostic testing relies primarily on real-time PCR assays, which directly detect the presence of viral RNA to identify ongoing infections.</p> <div style="width: 100%;padding: 20px;background-color: #9bd3dd;font-weight: bold;font-size: 110%">“Diagnostic Testing now is based, as you all know, on Real Time PCR tests, antigen tests, or antibody tests. But the most important is RT PCR tests which is recommended by the WHO, as the more sensitive and specific method.”</div> <p> </p> <p>In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Thermo Fisher Scientific has worked rapidly to develop a <a href="https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/clinical/clinical-genomics/pathogen-detection-solutions/covid-19-sars-cov-2/multiplex.html" data-uw-styling-context="true" data-uw-rm-brl="false">multiplex real-time PCR diagnostic kit</a> to enable clinical and public health laboratories to quickly diagnose COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. In his <a href="https://www.thermofisher.com/uk/en/home/clinical/clinical-genomics/pathogen-detection-solutions/covid-19-sars-cov-2/mutations-variants/surveillance/eccmid2021.html" data-uw-styling-context="true" data-uw-rm-brl="false">webinar</a>, Dr. Ulrich Eigner, Head of Studies in Infection Diagnostics at MVZ Labor Dr. Limbach Heidelberg, evaluates the clinical performance of the <a href="https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/clinical/clinical-genomics/pathogen-detection-solutions/covid-19-sars-cov-2/multiplex.html" data-uw-styling-context="true" data-uw-rm-brl="false">TaqPath<sup data-uw-styling-context="true">TM</sup> COVID-19 CE-IVD RT-PCR Kit</a> as compared to cobas® SARS-CoV-2 Assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2. In his succinct yet informative discussion, Dr. Eigner explains how the TaqPath<sup data-uw-styling-context="true">TM</sup> COVID-19 CE-IVD RT-PCR Kit performs well in comparative studies, demonstrates high clinical sensitivity as well as clinical specificity, and can even be used as a good proxy for the presence of del69_70 mutation and surveillance of the B.1.1.7 VOC.</p> <h2 data-uw-styling-context="true">Innovation, Competence, and Quality for More than 40 Years</h2> <p class="selectionShareable" data-uw-styling-context="true">Labor Dr. Limbach & Kollegen has been a provider of innovative laboratory diagnostics at the highest quality level for more than three decades.<sup data-uw-styling-context="true">2</sup> Founded in 1979, the Limbach Group has now formed an expansive network of over 30 laboratories in Germany with more than 300 medical doctors specialized in fields such as Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Infectious Disease and Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Transfusion Medicine. The organization offers a comprehensive range of tests based on the most recent recommendations, guidelines, and specialists.</p> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-15867 size-large" src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/11/Dr-Ulrich-Eigner-1200x628-1-1024x536.jpg" alt="A man smiling and wearing glasses" width="760" height="398" srcset="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/11/Dr-Ulrich-Eigner-1200x628-1-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/11/Dr-Ulrich-Eigner-1200x628-1-300x157.jpg 300w, https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/11/Dr-Ulrich-Eigner-1200x628-1-768x402.jpg 768w, https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/11/Dr-Ulrich-Eigner-1200x628-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /></p> <p><a href="https://www.labor-limbach.de/" data-uw-styling-context="true" data-uw-rm-brl="false">The MVZ Labor Dr. Limbach</a> is located in Heidelberg, Germany, and employs more than 600 specialists, including over 30 physicians, and a large number of natural science experts who work together to provide services such as laboratory medicine, infectiology, molecular diagnostics and hygiene, as well as transfusion medicine and human genetics.<sup data-uw-styling-context="true">1 </sup>Having performed over a million SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests since the beginning of the pandemic, Limbach brings us an illustrative evaluation of the clinical performance of TaqPath<sup data-uw-styling-context="true">TM</sup> COVID-19 CE-IVD RT-PCR Kit</p> <h2 data-uw-styling-context="true">A Comparative Study</h2> <p class="selectionShareable" data-uw-styling-context="true">To evaluate the clinical performance of TaqPath<sup data-uw-styling-context="true">TM</sup> COVID-19 CE-IVD RT-PCR Kit as compared to the cobas® SARS-CoV-2 Assay, 175 SARS-CoV-2 positive and 275 SARS-CoV-2 negative upper respiratory tract samples were selected, randomized, and tested using the two test methods in parallel.</p> <div style="width: 100%;padding: 20px;background-color: #9bd3dd;font-weight: bold;font-size: 110%">“…the TaqPath COVID-19 CE-IVD RT-PCR Kit shows good concordance with the Roche Cobas SAR-CoV-2 Assay, more than 95% positive agreement and more than 95% negative [agreement]…”</div> <p> </p> <p class="selectionShareable" data-uw-styling-context="true">The MVZ Labor Dr. Limbach demonstrates that the TaqPath<sup data-uw-styling-context="true">TM</sup> COVID-19 CE-IVD RT-PCR Kit, with a clinical sensitivity and specificity of 100%, is a powerful and highly accurate method for the detection of SARS-CoV-2.</p> <h2 data-uw-styling-context="true">SGTF Signals the Presence of B.1.1.7 Variant of Concern</h2> <p class="selectionShareable" data-uw-styling-context="true">RNA viruses demonstrate high mutation rates in response to selective pressures<sup data-uw-styling-context="true">3</sup>, and SARS-CoV-2 is no exception. Several <a href="https://www.thermofisher.com/uk/en/home/clinical/clinical-genomics/pathogen-detection-solutions/covid-19-sars-cov-2/mutations-variants.html" data-uw-styling-context="true" data-uw-rm-brl="false">genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2</a> have been emerging and circulating globally throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The <a href="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/ask-a-scientist/the-s-gene-advantage-taqpath-covid-19-tests-may-help-early-identification-of-b-1-1-7/" data-uw-styling-context="true" data-uw-rm-brl="false">B.1.1.7 variant</a> (known colloquially as the UK variant) has many lineage-defining mutations, one of which is a modification to the spike protein via a deletion of amino acid 69-70.</p> <p class="selectionShareable"><em data-uw-styling-context="true">“The TaqPath COVID-19 test uses a multi-target design to compensate for emerging SARS-CoV-2 mutations.”</em></p> <p class="selectionShareable" data-uw-styling-context="true">The TaqPath<sup data-uw-styling-context="true">TM</sup> COVID-19 CE-IVD RT-PCR Kit is a multiplex RT-PCR assay targeting the ORF1a/b, S and N genes. As a result of this 3-gene target assay design, a sample containing the 69-70del mutation will result in the detection of the ORF1a/b and N genes, but not the S gene. In other words, the sample shows an “<a href="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/ask-a-scientist/the-s-gene-advantage-taqpath-covid-19-tests-may-help-early-identification-of-b-1-1-7/" data-uw-styling-context="true" data-uw-rm-brl="false">S gene drop out</a>”, or “S-Gene Target Failure” (SGTF).</p> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-794 size-full" src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/ask-a-scientist/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/11/eigner_diagram.png" alt="S-gene target failure (SGTF) diagram" width="674" height="142" /></p> <p class="selectionShareable" data-uw-styling-context="true">In his webinar, Dr. Ulrich Eigner demonstrates that this S-Gene Target Failure (SGTF) can be used to signal the presence of the B.1.1.7 Variant of Concern (VOC).</p> <h4 role="heading" data-uw-styling-context="true" data-uw-rm-heading="level">Learn More</h4> <p class="selectionShareable" data-uw-styling-context="true">Watch Dr. Ulrich Eigner’s full webinar, “Performance Characteristics of COVID-19 Tests – a Comparative Study”, <a href="https://www.thermofisher.com/uk/en/home/clinical/clinical-genomics/pathogen-detection-solutions/covid-19-sars-cov-2/mutations-variants/surveillance/eccmid2021.html" data-uw-styling-context="true" data-uw-rm-brl="false" aria-label="Ulrich Eigner’s full webinar, “Performance Characteristics of COVID-19 Tests – a Comparative Study”, here" data-uw-rm-vglnk="">here</a>.</p> <p class="selectionShareable" data-uw-styling-context="true">To hear more of the latest on SARS-CoV-2 testing, mutation, detection and surveillance, explore these informative, must-see <a href="https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/clinical/clinical-genomics/pathogen-detection-solutions/covid-19-sars-cov-2/mutations-variants/surveillance/eccmid2021.html" data-uw-styling-context="true" data-uw-rm-brl="false">presentations from ECCMID 2021</a>.</p> <p class="selectionShareable" data-uw-styling-context="true">For more information about the TaqPath<sup data-uw-styling-context="true">TM</sup> COVID-19 CE-IVD RT-PCR Kit performance and how to order it, <a href="https://www.thermofisher.com/uk/en/home/clinical/clinical-genomics/pathogen-detection-solutions/covid-19-sars-cov-2/multiplex.html" data-uw-styling-context="true" data-uw-rm-brl="false" aria-label="COVID-19 CE-IVD RT-PCR Kit performance and how to order it, click here" data-uw-rm-vglnk="">click here</a>.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 18px;font-weight: bold">References</span></p> <p><sup>1</sup> <a href="https://covid19.who.int/">WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard | WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard With Vaccination Data</a></p> <p><sup>2</sup> <a href="https://www.labor-limbach.de/en/our-laboratory/about-us/">MVZ Labor Dr. Limbach Heidelberg (labor-limbach.de)</a></p> <p><sup>3</sup> <a href="https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/JVI.01031-17">Complexities of Viral Mutation Rates | Journal of Virology (asm.org)</a></p> <p> </p> <p>* For <em>in vitro</em> diagnostic use.</p>  </div></article></main></div></div><footer class="site-footer"><div class="wrap"><div class="creds"><p class="footer-links"><a href="https://corporate.thermofisher.com/en/footer/privacy-statement.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Privacy Statement</a><a href="https://corporate.thermofisher.com/en/footer/terms-and-conditions.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Terms & Conditions</a><a href="/blog/locations/">Locations</a><a href="/blog/sitemap/">Sitemap</a></p><p>© 2024 <a href="https://www.thermofisher.com">Thermo Fisher Scientific</a>. All Rights Reserved.</p></div><div><div id="crumbs"><a href="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations">Home</a> > <a href="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/case-studies/">Case studies</a> > <span class="current">Performance characteristics of COVID-19 tests: a comparative study from Dr. Ulrich Eigner</span></div><span class="social-links"><p>Talk to us</p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thermofisher" class="facebook" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><i class="fa fa-icon fa-facebook"></i></a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/thermo-fisher-scientific" class="linkedin" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><i class="fa fa-icon fa-linkedin"></i></a><a href="https://twitter.com/thermofisher" class="twitter" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><i class="fa fa-icon fa-twitter"></i></a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/thermofisher" class="youtube" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><i class="fa fa-icon fa-youtube"></i></a></span></div></div></footer> <script class="wya">jQuery('#cc_jetpack_shares li').on('click',function(){ jQuery.post( "https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php", { // here we declare the parameters to send along with the request // this means the following action hooks will be fired: action : 'update_share_count', // other parameters can be added along with "action" data: {"postId":"Q0pBcDNvdHhsV0JLYlNURkVTcmxHdz09"} }, function( res,code,xhr) { jQuery('.share_count').html(parseInt(jQuery('.share_count').html())+1) } ).fail(function(res) { }); }) </script> </div>  <script type="text/html" id="wpls--tmpl"> <li class="search-result"> <a href="<%= post.link %>"> <div class="wpls--item-title-wrap"> <h4 class="wpls--item-title"><%= post.title %></h4> </div> </a> </li> </script> <script type="text/javascript"> /* MonsterInsights Scroll Tracking */ if ( typeof(jQuery) !== 'undefined' ) { jQuery( document ).ready(function(){ function monsterinsights_scroll_tracking_load() { if ( ( typeof(__gaTracker) !== 'undefined' && __gaTracker && __gaTracker.hasOwnProperty( "loaded" ) && __gaTracker.loaded == true ) || ( typeof(__gtagTracker) !== 'undefined' && __gtagTracker ) ) { (function(factory) { factory(jQuery); }(function($) { /* Scroll Depth */ "use strict"; var defaults = { percentage: true }; var $window = $(window), cache = [], scrollEventBound = false, lastPixelDepth = 0; /* * Plugin */ $.scrollDepth = function(options) { var startTime = +new Date(); options = $.extend({}, defaults, options); /* * Functions */ function sendEvent(action, label, scrollDistance, timing) { if ( 'undefined' === typeof MonsterInsightsObject || 'undefined' === typeof MonsterInsightsObject.sendEvent ) { return; } var paramName = action.toLowerCase(); var fieldsArray = { send_to: 'G-TJ18KZWFVE', non_interaction: true }; fieldsArray[paramName] = label; if (arguments.length > 3) { fieldsArray.scroll_timing = timing MonsterInsightsObject.sendEvent('event', 'scroll_depth', fieldsArray); } else { MonsterInsightsObject.sendEvent('event', 'scroll_depth', fieldsArray); } } function calculateMarks(docHeight) { return { '25%' : parseInt(docHeight * 0.25, 10), '50%' : parseInt(docHeight * 0.50, 10), '75%' : parseInt(docHeight * 0.75, 10), /* Cushion to trigger 100% event in iOS */ '100%': docHeight - 5 }; } function checkMarks(marks, scrollDistance, timing) { /* Check each active mark */ $.each(marks, function(key, val) { if ( $.inArray(key, cache) === -1 && scrollDistance >= val ) { sendEvent('Percentage', key, scrollDistance, timing); cache.push(key); } }); } function rounded(scrollDistance) { /* Returns String */ return (Math.floor(scrollDistance/250) * 250).toString(); } function init() { bindScrollDepth(); } /* * Public Methods */ /* Reset Scroll Depth with the originally initialized options */ $.scrollDepth.reset = function() { cache = []; lastPixelDepth = 0; $window.off('scroll.scrollDepth'); bindScrollDepth(); }; /* Add DOM elements to be tracked */ $.scrollDepth.addElements = function(elems) { if (typeof elems == "undefined" || !$.isArray(elems)) { return; } $.merge(options.elements, elems); /* If scroll event has been unbound from window, rebind */ if (!scrollEventBound) { bindScrollDepth(); } }; /* Remove DOM elements currently tracked */ $.scrollDepth.removeElements = function(elems) { if (typeof elems == "undefined" || !$.isArray(elems)) { return; } $.each(elems, function(index, elem) { var inElementsArray = $.inArray(elem, options.elements); var inCacheArray = $.inArray(elem, cache); if (inElementsArray != -1) { options.elements.splice(inElementsArray, 1); } if (inCacheArray != -1) { cache.splice(inCacheArray, 1); } }); }; /* * Throttle function borrowed from: * Underscore.js 1.5.2 * http://underscorejs.org * (c) 2009-2013 Jeremy Ashkenas, DocumentCloud and Investigative Reporters & Editors * Underscore may be freely distributed under the MIT license. */ function throttle(func, wait) { var context, args, result; var timeout = null; var previous = 0; var later = function() { previous = new Date; timeout = null; result = func.apply(context, args); }; return function() { var now = new Date; if (!previous) previous = now; var remaining = wait - (now - previous); context = this; args = arguments; if (remaining <= 0) { clearTimeout(timeout); timeout = null; previous = now; result = func.apply(context, args); } else if (!timeout) { timeout = setTimeout(later, remaining); } return result; }; } /* * Scroll Event */ function bindScrollDepth() { scrollEventBound = true; $window.on('scroll.scrollDepth', throttle(function() { /* * We calculate document and window height on each scroll event to * account for dynamic DOM changes. */ var docHeight = $(document).height(), winHeight = window.innerHeight ? window.innerHeight : $window.height(), scrollDistance = $window.scrollTop() + winHeight, /* Recalculate percentage marks */ marks = calculateMarks(docHeight), /* Timing */ timing = +new Date - startTime; checkMarks(marks, scrollDistance, timing); }, 500)); } init(); }; /* UMD export */ return $.scrollDepth; })); jQuery.scrollDepth(); } else { setTimeout(monsterinsights_scroll_tracking_load, 200); } } monsterinsights_scroll_tracking_load(); }); } /* End MonsterInsights Scroll Tracking */ </script><script type="text/javascript" id="wpls-script-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var wp_search_vars = {"helperText":"one more character","api":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/wp-json\/as\/v1\/all-posts\/18"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/plugins/wp-search-live/public/assets/js/wp-live-search.js?ver=0.9" id="wpls-script-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog//wp-includes/js/dist/dom-ready.min.js?ver=f77871ff7694fffea381" id="wp-dom-ready-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog//wp-includes/js/dist/hooks.min.js?ver=2810c76e705dd1a53b18" id="wp-hooks-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog//wp-includes/js/dist/i18n.min.js?ver=5e580eb46a90c2b997e6" id="wp-i18n-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="wp-i18n-js-after"> /* <![CDATA[ */ wp.i18n.setLocaleData( { 'text direction\u0004ltr': [ 'ltr' ] } ); /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog//wp-includes/js/dist/a11y.min.js?ver=d90eebea464f6c09bfd5" id="wp-a11y-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" defer='defer' src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/js/placeholders.jquery.min.js?ver=2.8.17" id="gform_placeholder-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" defer='defer' src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/assets/js/dist/vendor-theme.min.js?ver=54e7080aa7a02c83aa61fae430b9d869" id="gform_gravityforms_theme_vendors-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="gform_gravityforms_theme-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var gform_theme_config = {"common":{"form":{"honeypot":{"version_hash":"4a792b070322e711c2521ee9802c04ea"}}},"hmr_dev":"","public_path":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/clinical-conversations\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms\/assets\/js\/dist\/"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" defer='defer' src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/assets/js/dist/scripts-theme.min.js?ver=bab19fd84843dabc070e73326d787910" id="gform_gravityforms_theme-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog//wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/core.min.js?ver=1.13.3" id="jquery-ui-core-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog//wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/tabs.min.js?ver=1.13.3" id="jquery-ui-tabs-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/clinical-conversations/wp-content/themes/clinical-conversations/js/scripts.js?ver=1.2.81732372929" id="scripts-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://stats.wp.com/e-202447.js" id="jetpack-stats-js" data-wp-strategy="defer"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="jetpack-stats-js-after"> /* <![CDATA[ */ _stq = window._stq || []; _stq.push([ "view", JSON.parse("{\"v\":\"ext\",\"blog\":\"200000683\",\"post\":\"793\",\"tz\":\"-8\",\"srv\":\"www.thermofisher.com\",\"j\":\"1:13.9.1\"}") ]); _stq.push([ "clickTrackerInit", "200000683", "793" ]); /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/-JVF2Mt77XrPue0oWQ_DN-r_/XEYukNG8mrG8EimE/LFhk/MBsdTQN/rVQM"></script></body></html>