Published on 11/27/2024 at 12:51 p.m.
updated on 11/27/2024 at 12:51 p.m.
Lecture 2 min.
in collaboration with
Dr. Gérald Kierzek (medical director)
Medical validation:
November 27, 2024
Do you know the “All in triplex”? This is the brand new test marketed by the French group AAZ in French pharmacies. Price, reliability, effectiveness… Dr Gérald Kierzek enlightens you on this triple test.
Everywhere, we only talk about it: the famous “All in triplex” self-test, marketed by the French group AAZ. Sold in pharmacies for the modest sum of €10, it promises to simultaneously detect the bronchiolitis virus, the flu and COVID-19. But what should we think about it? Are we sure of its reliability? We asked the question to Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of Doctissimo.
The “All in triplex” is an antigen test that can identify three viruses at the same time: Covid-19, bronchiolitis and influenza.
“It is a combined antigen test for bronchiolitis virus, influenza and COVID-19, based on a nasal sample, designed for children and now authorized for adults“, specifies the French group AAZ on its site. “This is the first combined self-test to obtain CE IVDR certification in Europe. It complies with all the criteria set by the High Authority of Health. It is a complementary tool to its TROD version for the pharmacist.”
In terms of price, the test is not enough to scare consumers: it is sold for around 10 euros and is not yet reimbursed.
It is also less invasive than a Covid-19 self-test, since it takes the form of a small sponge to slide into your nostrils (thus avoiding any risk of nasal perforation). The result is then delivered in less than 15 minutes.
According to the group, the “All in triplex” is “99% reliable” (data from a comparative clinical study carried out at the Orléans CHR) and “secure”: no risk of ingestion of the support, nor projection on the skin or mucous membranes.
These advantages have given it rapid success: the test is already used by more than 100 pediatric and adult emergency services, including many university hospitals.
The pulse oximeter can sometimes be more relevant
On paper, therefore, the test seems to have everything right. But should it still be adopted? No, believes Dr Gérald Kierzek.
First shocking figure, which is good to have in mind: the total cost of COVID tests for the State and Health Insurance between 2020 and 2022 amounts to almost 10 billion euros. A significant sum, which increases the overall public debt.
Then, on the test itself, the medical director of Doctissimo questions its real benefit.
“The orientation and treatment of these three diseases is the same: symptomatic (paracetamol, rest, mask on the nose, etc.) and not etiological. Furthermore, many other viruses producing the same symptoms are not detected and can also have serious consequences on the most vulnerable. So knowing the virus in question is less important than the fragile state of the patients and the severity of the symptoms.“, he says.
The doctor adds that in this sense, “pulse oximeter (blood oxygen saturation) is much more relevant for detecting potential seriousness and directing to the emergency room“.
“I wouldn’t want us to go back into a costly madness of testing…“, he adds, at the same time.
Last important detail: said test is not validated by the authorities (HAS).
This being said, tests in general should not be ruled out: they always help protect the most vulnerable.
“COVID in particular continues to scare as the holidays approach. Without turning into an obsession by increasing the number of tests, they can reassure the families of very vulnerable individuals,” concludes the doctor.
Slide: Covid-19: how to avoid getting sick in high-risk places?
