Publication date: Jul 25, 2025

This study aimed to investigate prolonged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and evaluate the diagnostic performance of rapid antigen tests (RAgT) compared to real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). A prospective single-center study included 82 patients with prolonged PCR positivity (≥28 days). Serial RT-PCR and RAgT were performed at days 7 to 10, 14 to 20, and 28 to 30 post-diagnosis. Clinical data, comorbidities, and laboratory parameters (inflammatory markers, hematological, and biochemical profiles) were analyzed. Statistical analyses included sensitivity, specificity, Cohen Kappa, and receiver operating characteristic curve assessment. RAgT demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 74% specificity relative to RT-PCR, with strong agreement (Cohen _705 = 0. 803, P* 

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