Abstract

The pandemic causing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has globally infected more than 50 million people and ∼1.2 million have succumbed to this deadly pathogen. With the vaccine trials still in clinical phases, mitigation of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) relies primarily on robust virus detection methods and subsequent quarantine measures. Hence, the importance of rapid, affordable and reproducible virus testing will serve the need to identify and treat infected subjects in a timely manner. Based on the type of diagnostic assay, the primary targets are viral genome (RNA) and encoded proteins. Currently, COVID-19 detection is performed using various molecular platforms as well as serodiagnostics that exhibit approximately 71% sensitivity. These methods encounter several limitations including sensitivity, specificity, availability of skilled expertise and instrument access. Saliva-based COVID-19 diagnostics are emerging as a superior alternative to nasal swabs because of the ease of sample collection, no interaction during sampling, and high viral titers during early stages of infection. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 is detected in the environment as aerosols associated with suspended particulate matter. Designing virus detection strategies in diverse samples will allow timely monitoring of virus spread in humans and its persistence in the environment. With the passage of time, advanced technologies are overcoming limitations associated with detection. Enhanced sensitivity and specificity of next-generation diagnostics are key features enabling improved prognostic care. In this comprehensive review, we analyze currently adopted advanced technologies and their concurrent use in the development of diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2 detection.

摘要

引起严重急性呼吸系统综合症冠状病毒2（SARS-CoV-2）的大流行已在全球感染了超过5000万人，约有120万人死于该致命病原体。由于疫苗试验仍处于临床阶段，缓解冠状病毒病2019（COVID-19）主要依靠可靠的病毒检测方法和随后的隔离措施。因此，快速，可负担和可再现的病毒测试的重要性将满足及时识别和治疗感染对象的需求。根据诊断测定的类型，主要靶标是病毒基因组（RNA）和编码的蛋白。当前，COVID-19检测使用各种分子平台以及具有大约71％灵敏度的血清诊断方法进行。这些方法遇到一些局限性，包括灵敏度，的特异性，熟练的专业知识的可用性和仪器的访问权限。基于唾液的COVID-19诊断方法正在成为鼻拭子的替代替代品，因为它易于收集样品，在采样过程中没有相互作用以及在感染初期具有很高的病毒滴度。此外，SARS-CoV-2在环境中被检测为与悬浮颗粒物相关的气溶胶。在不同样本中设计病毒检测策略将可以及时监控病毒在人体内的传播及其在环境中的持久性。随着时间的流逝，先进的技术已克服了与检测相关的局限性。下一代诊断的增强的敏感性和特异性是实现改善的预后护理的关键特征。在这份全面的评论中，