Abstract

Since Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) first emerged in December 2019, the disease has rapidly evolved into a pandemic that threatens societies around the world. As soon as the causative pathogen, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified and its genome sequence determined, a laboratory diagnosis based on nucleic acid amplification technologies was quickly established and has played essential roles in the confirmation of a clinical diagnosis. Serological testing for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 is becoming available for complementary diagnosis, identification of convalescent plasma, and epidemiologic studies. Additional laboratory biochemical tests, including monitoring the change in blood cells, blood gas, coagulation, liver function, cardiac markers, and inflammatory responses such as cytokine levels in plasma, are also critical in combating COVID-19. Nevertheless, with overwhelming numbers of patients and potentially large numbers of asymptomatic cases, clinical laboratories encounter enormous challenges in diagnostic approaches that can rapidly and accurately identify infected persons. Strategies that can effectively detect disease progression in order to stratify patients for appropriate care, and that can thereby prevent exacerbation of the disease, are urgently needed. This review discusses the laboratory’s role and challenges in combating COVID-19.

摘要

自2019年冠状病毒病2019（COVID-19）于2019年12月首次出现以来，该疾病已迅速演变成对世界各地社会构成威胁的大流行病。一旦确定了致病性病原体，严重急性呼吸系统综合症冠状病毒2（SARS-CoV-2）并确定了其基因组序列，便迅速建立了基于核酸扩增技术的实验室诊断，并在确诊肝炎中发挥了重要作用。临床诊断。针对SARS-CoV-2抗体的血清学检测已可用于补充诊断，恢复期血浆的鉴定和流行病学研究。其他实验室生化检查，包括监测血细胞，血气，凝血，肝功能，心脏标志物，炎症反应（例如血浆中的细胞因子水平）在对抗COVID-19中也至关重要。然而，由于患者人数众多，并且可能有大量无症状病例，临床实验室在诊断方法上面临着巨大的挑战，这些诊断方法可以快速，准确地识别感染者。迫切需要能够有效地检测疾病进展以便对患者进行分层以进行适当护理的策略，从而可以防止疾病的恶化。这篇评论讨论了实验室在对抗COVID-19中的作用和挑战。临床实验室在诊断方法上面临着巨大的挑战，这些诊断方法可以快速，准确地识别感染者。迫切需要能够有效地检测疾病进展以便对患者进行分层以进行适当护理的策略，从而可以防止疾病的恶化。这篇评论讨论了实验室在对抗COVID-19中的作用和挑战。临床实验室在诊断方法中面临着巨大的挑战，这些诊断方法可以快速，准确地识别感染者。迫切需要能够有效地检测疾病进展以便对患者进行分层以进行适当护理的策略，从而可以防止疾病的恶化。这篇评论讨论了实验室在对抗COVID-19中的作用和挑战。