COVID‐19 diagnostic testing: Technology perspective

Abstract

The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a highly contagious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). More than 18 million people were infected with a total of 0.7 million deaths in ∼188 countries. Controlling the spread of SARS‐CoV‐2 is therefore inherently dependent on identifying and isolating infected individuals, especially since COVID‐19 can result in little to no symptoms. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the different primary technologies used to test for COVID‐19 infection, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each technology, and highlight the studies that have employed them. We also describe technologies that have the potential to accelerate SARS‐CoV‐2 detection in the future, including digital PCR, CRISPR, and microarray. Finally, remaining challenges in COVID‐19 diagnostic testing are discussed, including (a) the lack of universal standards for diagnostic testing; (b) the identification of appropriate sample collection site(s); (c) the difficulty in performing large population screening; and (d) the limited understanding of SARS‐COV‐2 viral invasion, replication, and transmission.

Extracellular Vesicles: Roles in Human Viral Infections, Immune-Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Applications

“…According to Meng Xu et al 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved the first emergency saliva testing for COVID-19 diagnosis on 14 April 2020. This breakthrough diagnostic tool was developed at the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Jersey and was the result of a collaboration between Rutgers’ RUCDR Infinite Biologics, Accurate Diagnostic Labs, and Spectrum Solutions [ 116 ]. To date, immunological and molecular screenings such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, RT-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) have all been used to detect viral transcript and viral load in saliva samples [ 116 , 117 ].…”

“…The basis for the Rutgers saliva test can be traced to the ability of exosomes to transfer the ACE2 receptor, a human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor to recipient cells following fusion and internalization. This process takes place through ACE2 interaction with the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 prior to entrance into the cell, suggesting a role for exosomes in viral pathogenesis [ 116 ]. Exosome cargo, such as tetraspanins, may also influence SAR-CoV entry.…”

Recent advances in nanomaterials based biosensors for point of care (PoC) diagnosis of Covid-19 – A minireview

“…Several low cost immunoassays and molecular diagnostic kits, including Abbott's ID NOWTM, Lumex Instruments' Microchip RT-PCR and Roche's Cobas, etc., have been developed[ [65] , [66] , [67] , [68] ]. However, serological tests are used as a surveillance technique to understand better the epidemiology of the population-wide immunity environment of COVID-19[ 69 ].…”

Biological characteristics and biomarkers of novel SARS-CoV-2 facilitated rapid development and implementation of diagnostic tools and surveillance measures

“…This method is much rapid and less hurting than that of other test sample collection routes. It is also possible to lower the exposure risks for healthcare providers and also allows performing large-scale testing capacity ( Xu et al, 2020 ).…”