ISSN 2348-313X (Print) International Journal of Life Sciences Research ISSN 2348-3148 (online) Vol. 10, Issue 4, pp: (64-72), Month: October - December 2022, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
COVID-19 LABORATORY TESTING Mohammed Abduh Hummadi 1*, Safooq Hamdi Al Shammari2, Abdullah Abdulrahman Al Oraini3, Adel Musaad Alabdulmunim4, Saud Abdullah Alarifi5, Ahmed Ali Jarah6 1*
Corresponding Author, Phlebotomist, Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, KFMC,Riyadh 11525P.O.Box 59046,SA 2
3
Phlebotomist, Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, KFMC, Riyadh
Phlebotomist, Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, KFMC, Riyadh 4
Medical Technologist, Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, KFMC, Riyadh 5
6
Lab Tech, Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, KFMC, Riyadh
Medical technologist, blood bank, Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, KFMC, Riyadh DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7406553
Published Date: 06-December-2022
Abstract: Rapid and accurate laboratory diagnosis of active COVID-19 infection is one of the cornerstones of pandemic control. With the large number of tests available on the market, using the correct sample type and laboratory testing technique in the clinical setting will be challenging for laypersons. In this mini-review, we will discuss the difference in diagnostic performance of different upper and lower airway samples and the role of blood and stool samples. We will discuss the performance characteristics of nucleic acid laboratory testing techniques in Acid Enhancement Tests, Antigen Detection Tests, Antibody Detection Tests and Point-of-Care Tests. Finally, the dynamics of viral replication and antibody production are discussed and the interpretation of laboratory results along with clinical scenarios. Keywords: COVID-19 infection, laboratory testing technique, Antigen Detection Tests, Antibody Detection Tests.
1. INTRODUCTION Since late 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. (SARS-CoV-2), has been spreading rapidly, infecting millions of people worldwide. At the same time, the labs were decoding the genome of the virus and working at an equally relentless pace to refine its diagnostics. With the first SARSCoV-2 genome sequence released on January 11, 2020 (Genbank accession number MN908947), major regional laboratories quickly proposed standardized Laboratory diagnostic protocols and recommended the appropriate primers, probes, and conditions for thermocycling accurate diagnosis [1]. These standardized laboratory protocols enabled rapid COVID-19 testing in established laboratories equipped with well-separated pre-amplification, amplification, and postamplification areas. They also laid the groundwork for a variety of commercially available "rapid tests" that soon followed. These commercial assays varied in their detection technology, ranging from SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection, antibody testing, and antibody testing to easy-to-use sample-to-response nucleic acid amplification tests. They also differed in detection goals and therefore in performance characteristics. Population screening, contact screening, clinical diagnosis, disease severity monitoring, infectivity monitoring, through to retrospective screening of the entire population. In our opinion, no single test can meet the requirement in all the above scenarios. The purpose of the current review is to provide readers with a summary of the latest knowledge on the armamentarium of available COVID-19 tests to enable the best possible use of the right diagnostic test in the required clinical context in the most cost-effective manner.
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