Laboratory-based diagnostic measures including virological and serological tests are essential for detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions (rRT-PCR) can detect SARS-COV-2 by targeting open reading frame-1 antibodies (ORF1ab), envelope protein, nucleocapsid protein, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase genes, and the N1, N2, and N3 (3N) target genes. Therefore, rRT-PCR remains the primary method of diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 despite being limited by false-negative results, long turnaround, complex protocols, and a need for skilled personnel. Serological diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is simple and does not require complex techniques and equipment, rendering it suitable for rapid detection and massive screening. However, serological tests cannot confirm SARS-CoV-2, and results will be false-negative when antibody concentrations fall below detection limits. Balancing the increased use of laboratory tests, risk of testing errors, need for tests, burden on healthcare systems, benefits of early diagnosis, and risk of unnecessary exposure is a significant and persistent challenge in diagnosing COVID-19.

基于实验室的诊断措施，包括病毒学和血清学检测，对于检测严重的急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2（SARS-CoV-2）是必不可少的。实时逆转录聚合酶链反应（rRT-PCR）可以通过靶向开放阅读框1抗体（ORF1ab），包膜蛋白，核衣壳蛋白，RNA依赖性RNA聚合酶基因和N1来检测SARS-COV-2， N2和N3（3N）靶基因。因此，rRT-PCR仍然是诊断SARS-CoV-2的主要方法，尽管存在假阴性结果，周转时间长，协议复杂以及需要熟练技术人员的限制。冠状病毒疾病2019（COVID-19）的血清学诊断很简单，不需要复杂的技术和设备，使其适合快速检测和大规模筛查。然而，血清学测试不能确认SARS-CoV-2，并且当抗体浓度降至检测限以下时，结果将为假阴性。平衡日益增加的实验室测试使用率，测试错误风险，测试需求，医疗保健系统负担，早期诊断的益处以及不必要的暴露风险是诊断COVID-19的重大而持久的挑战。