Stopping the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review on the Advances of Diagnosis, Treatment, and Control Measures

Abstract

With the continued spread of COVID-19 across the world, rapid diagnostic tools, readily available respurposable drugs, and prompt containment measures to control the SARS-CoV-2 infection are of paramount importance. Examples of recent advances in diagnostic tests are CRISPR technology, IgG assay, spike protein detection, and use of artificial intelligence. The gold standard reverse transcription polymerase chain (RT-PCR) has also been upgraded with point-of-care rapid tests. Supportive treatment, mechanical ventilation, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remain the primary choice, while therapeutic options include antivirals, antiparasitics, anti-inflammatories, interferon, convalescent plasma, monoclonal antibody, hyperimmunoglobulin, RNAi, and mesenchymal stem cell therapy. Different types of vaccines such as RNA, DNA, and lentiviral, inactivated, and viral vector are in clinical trials. Moreover, rapidly deployable and easy-to-transport innovative vaccine delivery systems are also in development. As countries have started easing down on the lockdown measures, the chance for a second wave of infection demands strict and rational control policies to keep fatalities minimized. An improved understanding of the advances in diagnostic tools, treatments, vaccines, and control measures for COVID-19 can provide references for further research and aid better containment strategies.

A simplified alternative diagnostic algorithm for SARS-CoV-2 suspected symptomatic patients and confirmed close contacts (asymptomatic): A consensus of Latin American experts

“…The detection of viral particles (Mallett et al, 2020) (Siam et al, 2020 or the corresponding immunological response (Deeks et al, 2020) varies with post-infection time (Fig. 2).…”

“…As with all diagnostic tests, the predictive value of rRT-PCR depends highly on its specificity, sensitivity, and prevalence of the disease in the target population (CDC, 2020a) (Table 1). False-negative results may also result from technical issues, from sampling to amplification, including thermal inactivation (Siam et al, 2020). A confirmatory test (e.g.…”

“…In comparison with rRT-PCR, rapid antigen detection tests tend to have a lower sensitivity, and owing to the increased risk of false-negative results, some authors consider such tests only as an adjunct to rRT-PCR tests (Siam et al, 2020). Alternatively, antigen detection tests have the advantage of being simple to perform and can play a role in settings where accessibility to rRT-PCR tests is limited or in symptomatic patients with a high viral load and within the first 5-7 days after symptom onset (Lai and Lam, 2020).…”

“…There was little clear evidence of differences in specificity between technology types. Essential considerations for antibody testing include timing of the test, previous infection, immune status of the individual, and cross-reaction, which can alter the test results (Siam et al, 2020).…”

SARS-CoV-2: Outline, Prevention, and Decontamination

“…According to the WHO report, at 10 January 2021, over 87.5 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, including more than 1,900,000 deaths, were observed [ 5 ]. These data indicate that COVID-19 is highly contagious and global measures have been applied in order to limit the spread of the virus [ 6 ]. At the beginning, the WHO’s general recommendations to the general public was to wear a mask in public places and apply hygiene practices as the available protection options [ 7 , 8 ].…”