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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Diagnostic Tools: A Focus on Detection Technologies and Limitations
Ahmad Qasem1, Ameera M Shaw1, Erij Elkamel1
1Division of Molecular Microbiology, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, 4110 Libra Drive, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
Insights
This review details major diagnostic methods for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus causing COVID-19. It compares molecular and serological tests, discussing their principles, accuracy, specimen needs, and turnaround times for better clinical guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Diagnostic Technologies
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has severely impacted global health and economies.
- Remarkable advancements in diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines have emerged despite the crisis.
- Effective public health strategies rely on accurate and accessible diagnostic methods for SARS-CoV-2.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of key SARS-CoV-2 detection methods.
- To detail the principles, sensitivity, specificity, and limitations of various diagnostic approaches.
- To inform the development of clinical guidelines and diagnostic protocols.
Main Methods:
- Review of molecular diagnostic techniques for SARS-CoV-2 detection.
- Analysis of serological approaches for identifying immune responses to SARS-CoV-2.
- Comparison of methods based on specimen requirements, technology, and time efficiency.
Main Results:
- Detailed descriptions of the core principles behind major SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic tests.
- Information on reported false-negative and false-positive rates for different methods.
- Assessment of practical aspects including specimen types and testing turnaround times.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the nuances of each diagnostic method is crucial for clinical application.
- This review provides essential data to aid in selecting appropriate diagnostic tools.
- Informed choices in diagnostic protocols can enhance the management of COVID-19.
Abstract:
The ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a severe threat to human health and the global economy and has resulted in overwhelming stress on health care systems worldwide. Despite the global health catastrophe, especially in the number of infections and fatalities, the COVID-19 pandemic has also revolutionized research and discovery with remarkable success in diagnostics, treatments, and vaccine development. The use of many diagnostic methods has helped establish public health guidelines to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. However, limited information has been shared about these methods, and there is a need for the scientific community to learn about these technologies, in addition to their sensitivity, specificity, and limitations. This review article is focused on providing insights into the major methods used for SARS-CoV-2 detection. We describe in detail the core principle of each method, including molecular and serological approaches, along with reported claims about the rates of false negatives and false positives, the types of specimens needed, and the level of technology and the time required to perform each test. Although this study will not rank or prioritize these methods, the information will help in the development of guidelines and diagnostic protocols in clinical settings and reference laboratories.
