The COVID-19 outbreak has had a major impact on clinical microbiology laboratories in the past several months. This talk covers a systematic review of the current diagnostic platforms and challenges for the laboratory diagnosis of infections caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Diagnostic challenges based on the stage of sample collection and processing intrinsically affect test accuracy. In the pre-analytical stage, collecting the proper respiratory tract specimen at the right time from the right anatomic site is essential for a prompt and accurate molecular diagnosis of COVID-19. Adherence to biological safety measures is necessary to keep laboratory staff safe while producing reliable test results. In the analytic stage, real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assays remain to be the diagnostic test of choice for the etiologic diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection while antibody-based techniques are currently being considered as a supplemental tool. Careful interpretation and appropriate clinical correlation of results in the post-analytical stage for both molecular and serological findings. Lastly, this talk will also provide an overview of emerging diagnostic platforms including random-access, integrated devices available at the point of care with scalable capacities that will facilitate the rapid and accurate diagnosis and monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 infections and other future emerging infectious disease epidemics and pandemics.
ISSN 2719-1990 (Print)
Philippine E-Journals
