Molecular detections of coronavirus: current and emerging methodologies

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• Diagnostic Medicine

Background:

• Human coronaviruses historically caused mild illness, but recent strains (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2) cause severe, life-threatening respiratory syndromes.
• The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, highlights the urgent need for effective control strategies.
• Rapid and reliable detection is vital due to the lack of specific drugs and vaccines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review established and emerging methods for detecting SARS, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2.
• To analyze and compare the strengths and weaknesses of various diagnostic approaches.
• To discuss future trends in coronavirus detection and diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• A literature search was conducted in PubMed focusing on coronavirus detection and diagnostics.
• Established and emerging detection methods were summarized.
• Characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses of diagnostic approaches were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Nucleic acid-based RT-PCR is the current gold standard for coronavirus detection.
• Immunoassays offer historical infection data alongside diagnostic information.
• Integrated high-throughput systems show significant potential for future diagnostics.

Conclusions:

• RT-PCR and immunoassays are key diagnostic tools, each with distinct advantages.
• Integrated high-throughput systems represent the future trend in virus detection.
• Continued development of rapid and reliable diagnostics is essential for pandemic preparedness.