Role of Laboratory Medicine in SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostics. Lessons Learned from a Pandemic

Abstract

Since the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak began in Wuhan, China, diagnostic methods in the field of molecular biology have been developing faster than ever under the vigilant eye of world’s research community. Unfortunately, the medical community was not prepared for testing such large volumes or ranges of biological materials, whether blood samples for antibody immunological testing, or salivary/swab samples for real-time PCR. For this reason, many medical diagnostic laboratories have made the switch to working in the field of molecular biology, and research undertaken to speed up the flow of samples through laboratory. The aim of this narrative review is to evaluate the current literature on laboratory techniques for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection available on pubmed.gov, Google Scholar, and according to the writers’ knowledge and experience of the laboratory medicine. It assesses the available information in the field of molecular biology by comparing real-time PCR, LAMP technique, RNA sequencing, and immunological diagnostics, and examines the newest techniques along with their limitations for use in SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics.

In Vivo Imaging-Based Techniques for Early Diagnosis of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders—Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Some of these techniques are already commercially available, such as Vizilite and VelScope, and their accessibility also depends on the possibility to be purchased from health facilities, even by smaller ones. Moreover, these techniques reflect the current trend in healthcare toward artificial intelligence that can successfully transform medical images analysis in pathology, radiology and other fields of medical imaging [85][86][87]. A review published in 2018 by Yang et al [45] on noninvasive diagnostic adjuncts for OPMDs evaluation showed that these techniques presented poor diagnostic accuracy due to high false-positive results [45].…”

Molecular Diagnostic Tools against SARS-CoV-2 in Poland in 2022

“…The principle of this method is the activity of endoribonuclease Cas with an sgRNA (single guide RNA) complex followed by probing of the amplified specific fragments of the virus. The test can be designed according to the measurement of fluorescence or lateral flow [ 10 , 11 ]. COVID-19 diagnosis uses the Cas-13 enzyme, which has the ability to react with RNA; after reverse transcription, the Cas12 or Cas9 enzyme possibly interacts with cDNA [ 10 ].…”

Clinical laboratory strategies for managing pandemic outbreaks

“…20 Maintaining a sufficient supply of high-quality PPE, coupled with continuous communication and updates on safety protocols, contributes to a secure working environment. 8 By prioritizing the safety of clinical laboratory personnel, healthcare systems can bolster their resilience during pandemics, safeguarding the well-being of essential frontline workers crucial to the diagnostic and monitoring processes.…”

“…The ability to process large volumes of tests efficiently has been essential for implementing widespread screening programs and conducting surveillance activities. 8 Clinical laboratories have also been at the forefront of research efforts to understand the virus's characteristics, transmission dynamics, and impact on human health. 9 Through molecular biology techniques, serological assays, and genomic analyses, laboratories have contributed valuable insights into the virus's behavior, the development of immunity, and the emergence of variants.…”