Tools and Techniques for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)/COVID-19 Detection

Abstract

SUMMARY The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has led to millions of confirmed cases and deaths worldwide. Efficient diagnostic tools are in high demand, as rapid and large-scale testing plays a pivotal role in patient management and decelerating disease spread. This paper reviews current technologies used to detect SARS-CoV-2 in clinical laboratories as well as advances made for molecular, antigen-based, and immunological point-of-care testing, including recent developments in sensor and biosensor devices. The importance of the timing and type of specimen collection is discussed, along with factors such as disease prevalence, setting, and methods. Details of the mechanisms of action of the various methodologies are presented, along with their application span and known performance characteristics. Diagnostic imaging techniques and biomarkers are also covered, with an emphasis on their use for assessing COVID-19 or monitoring disease severity or complications. While the SARS-CoV-2 literature is rapidly evolving, this review highlights topics of interest that have occurred during the pandemic and the lessons learned throughout. Exploring a broad armamentarium of techniques for detecting SARS-CoV-2 will ensure continued diagnostic support for clinicians, public health, and infection prevention and control for this pandemic and provide advice for future pandemic preparedness.

Generation of false positive SARS-CoV-2 antigen results with testing conditions outside manufacturer recommendations: A scientific approach to pandemic misinformation

“…False positive and negative results occur with any diagnostic test, but are increasingly likely when manufacturer recommendations are not followed. [1,14,15] Using the Panbio SARS-CoV-2 Ag-RDT, this study demonstrated test conditions outside manufacturer recommendations that can cause false positive results. In absence of manufacturer buffer, a variety of food, water, laboratory buffer, specimen transport media, and clinical specimens showed false positive reactions.…”

“…High demand for diagnostic testing during the COVID-19 pandemic led to the development of various technologies for SARS-CoV-2 detection. [1] Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), like real-time RT-PCR, are considered the reference methods [1][2][3], but antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) have been widely used due to their ease-of use, rapid results, and ability to be performed outside of a laboratory setting. [1] Many Ag-RDTs have been licensed as point-of-care (POC) devices for SARS-CoV-2 detection [4,5], but their performance can vary between methods, testing frequency, and settings in which they are used.…”

Laboratory Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia

“…Reprinted with permission from ref. [ 8 ]. Copyright 2021 American Society for Microbiology-Journals.…”

One-Step, Wash-free, Nanoparticle Clustering-Based Magnetic Particle Spectroscopy Bioassay Method for Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Spike and Nucleocapsid Proteins in the Liquid Phase

“…Several nucleic acid detection tests targeting N, E, S, or RNA-dependent RNA polymerase genes of the virus are commercially available for the diagnosis of COVID-19. 7 − 9 Viral RNA detection by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is currently the gold standard test for SARS-CoV-2 infection. 10 , 11 Although this nucleic acid amplification test is highly sensitive with the limit of detection as low as 1 RNA copy/μL, RT-PCR needs expensive laboratory instrument, skilled technicians, and days to get the result.…”