Challenges in COVID-19 diagnosis

Abstract

Objective: In this narrative review, our aim was to clarify the roles of diagnostic methods used in COVID-19 disease.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by coronavirusis emerged as the major healthcare challenge globally. The mainstay approach to limit this virus spread is an early and accurate diagnosis of the viral infection and appropriate quarantine of patients with coronavirus infection.

Results: Real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) offers a quick detection of the disease in either symptomatic or asymptomatic patients. In literature, there are numerous studies that underline the importance of CT as the first-step diagnostic tool in COVID-19 diagnosis. Even in asymptomatic patients, COVID-19 pneumonia may manifest with chest CT imaging abnormalities.

Conclusion: There is a need for an algorithm, which involves a combination of PCR and CT in diagnosis of COVID-19 (Ref. 85).

Keywords: COVID-19; computed tomography diagnosis.; polymerase chain reaction.