Point-of-Care Testing-The Key in the Battle against SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Abstract

The deleterious effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic urged the development of diagnostic tools to manage the spread of disease. Currently, the "gold standard" involves the use of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Even though it is sensitive, specific and applicable for large batches of samples, qRT-PCR is labour-intensive, time-consuming, requires trained personnel and is not available in remote settings. This review summarizes and compares the available strategies for COVID-19: serological testing, Point-of-Care Testing, nanotechnology-based approaches and biosensors. Last but not least, we address the advantages and limitations of these methods as well as perspectives in COVID-19 diagnostics. The effort is constantly focused on understanding the quickly changing landscape of available diagnostic testing of COVID-19 at the clinical levels and introducing reliable and rapid screening point of care testing. The last approach is key to aid the clinical decision-making process for infection control, enhancing an appropriate treatment strategy and prompt isolation of asymptomatic/mild cases. As a viable alternative, Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) is typically low-cost and user-friendly, hence harbouring tremendous potential for rapid COVID-19 diagnosis.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2 variants; detection; epidemic; point of care testing.

Figure 1

Examples of detection systems for SARS-CoV-2: (A) Nucleic Acids Amplification Testing-reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (NAAT-RT-PCR, gold standard for diagnostic), colorimetric real-time Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP) reaction; (B) detection of viral antigens and IgG/IgM antibodies using lateral flow tests/ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoassays); (C) schematic representation of a biosensor for SARS-CoV-2 detection; (D) schematic workflow of CovidNudge Point of Care diagnostic for SARS-CoV-2 (adapted from Gibani et al. [175]).

Figure 2

Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) advantages for the diagnosis and surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 infection.