Miniaturized Real-Time PCR systems for SARS-CoV-2 detection at the Point-of-Care

Abstract

Over the past two years, SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2) infection has spread globally causing multi-organ disease and severely impacting the healthcare systems of all countries. Accordingly, the development of easy-to-access diagnostic devices has become essential to limit the effect of the virus worldwide. Real-Time PCR is considered the gold standard to identify SARS-CoV-2 infection due to high sensitivity, affordability, and capacity to detect low viral loads at early disease stage. Advances in lab on a chip technology has led to the development of some Point-of-Care (POC) devices using Real-Time PCR and approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. We provide an overview on recently developed POC tests for the rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 infection. Practical applications of miniaturized devices based on viral genome amplification as well as favorable features such as reduced sample processing time, ease of use by non-specialized personnel, and the potential of PCR-based POC technologies will be highlighted and reviewed.

Keywords: Lab On Chip; Molecular Biology; Point of Care; Real-Time PCR; SARS-CoV-2; Viral infection.

Fig. 1

Advantages and disadvantages of POC RT-PCR devices .

Fig. 2

A. POC device and procedure; B. Results of COVID-19 test. Figures reproduced with Copyright permissions from reference .

Fig. 3

RT-LAMP miniaturized device connected to smartphone via Bluetooth .