Testing for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19): A General Review

R I Med J (2013). 2020 Sep 4;103(8):20-23.

Abstract

The rampant COVID-19 pandemic has strained the testing capabilities of healthcare centers across the country. Several nucleic acid and serologic assays are available or currently being developed to meet the growing demand for large-scale testing. This review summarizes the developments of commonly used testing methods and their strategic use in clinical diagnosis and epidemiologic surveillance. This review will cover the basic virology of SARS-CoV-2, nucleic acid amplification testing, serology, antigen testing, as well as newer testing methods such as CRISPR-based assays.

Keywords: COVID-19; RT-PCR; serology testing.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus / isolation & purification*
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques / methods*
  • Coronavirus Infections* / diagnosis
  • Coronavirus Infections* / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections* / virology
  • Epidemiological Monitoring
  • Humans
  • Pandemics*
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / virology
  • Procedures and Techniques Utilization
  • SARS-CoV-2