Infectious disease researchers have warned that there are different drinks that can be used to cause false positive in PCR tests for COVID – 09 , although this does not mean that the tests do not work. The tests are accurate if used correctly.
False positive results happen when used directly on COVID tests.
“There are Potential ways to confuse a COVID lateral flow test – 19 positive … Misleading methods can easily lead to misuse of rapid COVID antigen tests – 09 leading to false positive results ”, Say researchers from the University of Tübingen in Germany in a study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases.
Various soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, including sparkling water that are applied directly to the COVID lateral flow test cassette – 19 Ag can cause a false positive test result. According to the study tests, it was observed that 5 types of drink can cause the appearance of a red test line:
Soft drinks: Coca- Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, Fanta-Orange, orange soda (tested with Hohes C)
Energy drink: Red Bull
Alcoholic beverages: vodka, whiskey and brandy
Commercially bottled mineral water
Carbonated mineral water
The researchers point out that when the drinks are mixed with the buffer as would be done regularly in the correct use of the tests, there are no false positive test lines.
In The publication of the study indicates that a possible explanation for the false positive could be an altered pH in these solutions , which could modulate the function of the coated antibodies in the test line. An optimal pH, stabilized by the supplied buffer, must be vital for true positivity.
Mark Lorch, Professor of Scientific Communication and Chemistry at The University of Hull explains through The Conversation that maintaining an ideal pH for antibodies is key to the correct functioning of the test, and that is the job of the “buffer solution” liquid solution with which the sample is mixed.
How to detect a lateral flow test with a false positive
Lorch notes that When a test that had been wetted with glue is washed with buffer solution, the antibodies regain their normal function , releasing the particles and gold from the test revealing the true negative result of the test.
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