A method for producing a positive antigen-based control for detecting a pathogen which includes providing a culture fluid having a pathogen with a first detectable antigen, wherein the culture fluid has a first concentration of the first detectable antigen, and exposing the culture fluid to UV electromagnetic irradiation for a time period sufficient to render the pathogen inactivated, thereby producing a positive antigen-based control, wherein the positive antigen-based control has a second concentration of the first detectable antigen that is no more than about 50% different from the first concentration when determined via ELISA. Also described are positive antigen-based controls and kits having the same.