Microfluidics-Based Biosensing Platforms: Emerging Frontiers in Point-of-Care Testing SARS-CoV-2 and Seroprevalence

Biosensors (Basel). 2022 Mar 17;12(3):179. doi: 10.3390/bios12030179.

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus disease-2019) outbreak and has unprecedentedly impacted the public health and economic sector. The pandemic has forced researchers to focus on the accurate and early detection of SARS-CoV-2, developing novel diagnostic tests. Among these, microfluidic-based tests stand out for their multiple benefits, such as their portability, low cost, and minimal reagents used. This review discusses the different microfluidic platforms applied in detecting SARS-CoV-2 and seroprevalence, classified into three sections according to the molecules to be detected, i.e., (1) nucleic acid, (2) antigens, and (3) anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Moreover, commercially available alternatives based on microfluidic platforms are described. Timely and accurate results allow healthcare professionals to perform efficient treatments and make appropriate decisions for infection control; therefore, novel developments that integrate microfluidic technology may provide solutions in the form of massive diagnostics to control the spread of infectious diseases.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; biosensors; chip; diagnostics; microfluidic.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis*
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Microfluidics*
  • Point-of-Care Systems
  • Point-of-Care Testing
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral