Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 23, 2025
Dynamic Monitoring of Seroconversion using a Multianalyte Immunobead Assay for Covid-19
Published on: February 16, 2022
COVID-19 clinical and laboratory diagnosis overview
Rania A Zayed1, Dalia Omran2, Abeer A Zayed3
1Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. rania.zayed@kasralainy.edu.eg.
Insights
Rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 is crucial for controlling its spread. This review covers clinical suspicion and available laboratory diagnostics, including PCR and serologic tests, for effective management of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- COVID-19 emerged in December 2019 and was declared a global pandemic in March 2020.
- The outbreak necessitated unprecedented containment measures worldwide.
- The causative agent is the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical presentation suggestive of COVID-19.
- To summarize the available laboratory diagnostic methods for COVID-19.
- To emphasize the importance of timely diagnosis and intervention.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical scenarios raising suspicion for COVID-19.
- Summary of current laboratory diagnostic techniques, including RT-PCR and serologic tests.
- Discussion of the limitations and utility of different diagnostic approaches.
Main Results:
- The genetic sequence of SARS-CoV-2 was rapidly identified, enabling RT-PCR test development.
- RT-PCR testing for COVID-19 can yield false-negative results.
- Serologic tests are valuable adjuncts to PCR for COVID-19 diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Rapid diagnosis of suspected COVID-19 cases is paramount for effective control.
- Diagnosis relies on a combination of PCR and serologic testing.
- Clinical judgment remains essential, even with negative laboratory results, in suspected COVID-19 cases.
Background:
COVID-19 was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, and rapidly spread worldwide, being declared global pandemic on the 11th of March 2020. Since its emergence, COVID-19 has raised global concerns associated with drastic measures that were never adopted in any previous outbreak, to contain the situation as early as possible.
Main Body:
The 2019 novel corona virus (2019-nCoV) or SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19. 2019-nCoV genetic sequence was rapidly identified within few days since the first reported cases and RT-PCR kits became available for COVID-19 diagnosis. However, RT-PCR diagnosis carries a risk of false-negative results; therefore, additional serologic tests are needed. In this review, we summarize the clinical scenario that raises suspicion of COVID-19 and available laboratory diagnostics.
Conclusion:
The most important approach in the battle against COVID-19 is rapid diagnosis of suspicious cases, timely therapeutic intervention and isolation to avoid community spread. Diagnosis depends mainly on PCR testing and serological tests. However, even in the context of negative lab test results and clinical suspicion of COVID-19 infection, clinical decision should be based on clinical suspicion.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
01:27Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
01:20COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
01:19Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
01:28Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies