Prevalence of cases of positive antigen against SARS-COV-2 in patients treated in a clinical laboratory in the Maracaibo municipality, period 2020-2021

  • María Claret Robertis Colmenares Universidad el Zulia. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Bioanálisis. Departamento de Salud Pública y Social. https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0707-009X
  • Amelia Patricia Patricia Rodríguez Universidad del Zulia. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Bioanálisis. Departamento de Salud Pública y Social. Maracaibo-Zulia. Venezuela https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6242-5774
  • Jennifer Lucila Gotera Zambrano Universidad del Zulia. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Bioanálisis. Departamento Salud Pública y Social. Maracaibo. Zulia-Venezuela https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2386-0842
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56903/kasmera.5342770
Keywords: antigen, SARS-CoV-2, rapid diagnostic tests, COVID-19

Abstract

The correct and rapid diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucial from both epidemiological and clinical perspectives. The aim was to determine the prevalence of positive cases of SARS-CoV-2 antigen in patients treated at a clinical laboratory in the municipality of Maracaibo, during the period 2020-2021. A total of 344 nasopharyngeal swabs were taken from patients with symptoms suggestive of infection, with less than 5 days of evolution, who visited the clinical laboratory between September 2020 and August 2021. The detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigen was performed using a rapid test (PANBIO™ COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device). A prevalence of positive cases of SARS-CoV-2 antigen of 62.51% was obtained. The most affected age group was between 31-50 years with 52.09%, followed by 51-70 years, 24.18%. Males predominated among the positive cases with 57.67%. Regarding the presence of symptoms, the most prevalent were headache with 58.13% and sore throat with 52.55%. COVID-19 remains present, although it appears stable; however, it has not ceased to be a threat to global health, highlighting the importance of maintaining surveillance to make timely decisions

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Published
2025-12-22
How to Cite
1.
Robertis Colmenares MC, Patricia Rodríguez AP, Gotera Zambrano JL. Prevalence of cases of positive antigen against SARS-COV-2 in patients treated in a clinical laboratory in the Maracaibo municipality, period 2020-2021. Kasmera [Internet]. 2025Dec.22 [cited 2025Dec.23];53:e5342770. Available from: https://produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/kasmera/article/view/42770
Issue
Vol. 53 (2025)
Section
Original Articles

Copyright (c) 2025 María Claret Robertis Colmenares, Amelia Patricia Patricia Rodríguez, Jennifer Lucila Gotera Zambrano

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