Molecular diagnostic assays for COVID-19: an overview

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Biotechnology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical need for swift and precise diagnostic tools.
• Numerous molecular diagnostic assays have been developed and validated globally to meet this demand.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the technical and clinical applications of various molecular diagnostic assays for COVID-19.
• To explore promising alternative molecular methods beyond RT-PCR.
• To provide recommendations for implementing these technologies in future outbreaks.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on COVID-19 molecular diagnostic assays.
• Analysis of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) as the primary method.
• Evaluation of alternative molecular techniques including CRISPR-based assays, isothermal amplification, digital PCR, microarrays, and next-generation sequencing (NGS).

Main Results:

• Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) remains the most utilized method for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection.
• Emerging molecular technologies such as CRISPR, isothermal amplification, digital PCR, microarrays, and NGS show significant promise as alternatives.
• Various assays are approved, while others are undergoing clinical validation.

Conclusions:

• Molecular diagnostic assays are essential for managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
• A range of molecular methods, from established RT-PCR to novel techniques, are available for SARS-CoV-2 detection.
• Strategic implementation of these diagnostic technologies is vital for future infectious disease outbreak response.