SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Diagnostics in China

Yanjun Lu; Ziyong Sun

doi:10.1016/j.cll.2022.03.003

SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Diagnostics in China

Clin Lab Med. 2022 Jun;42(2):193-201. doi: 10.1016/j.cll.2022.03.003. Epub 2022 Mar 4.

Authors

Yanjun Lu¹, Ziyong Sun²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
² Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China. Electronic address: zysun@tjh.tjmu.edu.cn.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic remains a significant problem involving health systems worldwide. Several diagnostic methods are reported for detecting the coronavirus in clinical, research, and public health laboratories. rRT-PCR is considered the gold standard; however, as it required skilled personnel and special equipment, rapid antigen tests have been developed and used as first-line screening. The serologic testing of antibodies can also be used to enhance the detection sensitivity and accuracy, which are used to assess the overall infection rate. This review summarizes the molecular techniques and serologic assays widely used in China and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques.

Keywords: Molecular diagnosis; Real-time PCR; SARS-CoV-2; Serologic assays.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

COVID-19* / diagnosis
China / epidemiology
Humans
Pandemics
Pathology, Molecular
SARS-CoV-2*
Sensitivity and Specificity