Laboratory detection of SARS-CoV-2: A review of the current literature and future perspectives

Abstract

Nowadays, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), whose infectivity is awfully strong, has been a major global threat to the public health. Since lung is the major target of SARS-CoV-2, the infection can lead to respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), multiple organ failure (MOF), and even death. The studies on viral structure and infection mechanism have found that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a pivotal enzyme affecting the organ-targeting in the RAS system, is the receptor of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Currently, the detection of SARSCoV-2 is mainly achieved using open plate real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). While open plate method has some limitations, such as a high false-negative rate, cumbersome manual operation, aerosol pollution and leakage risks. Therefore, a convenient method to rapidly detect SARS-CoV-2 virus is urgently and extremely required for timely epidemic control with the limited resources. In this review, the current real-time methods and principles for novel coronavirus detection are summarized, with the aim to provide a reference for real-time screening of coronavirus in areas with insufficient detection capacity and inadequate medical resources. The development and establishment of a rapid, simple, sensitive and specific system to detect SARS-CoV-2 is of vital importance for distinct diagnosis and effective treatment of the virus, especially in the flu season.

Keywords: Gene editing techniques; Gene sequencing; Novel coronavirus; Nucleic acid testing; SARS-CoV-2.

Figure 1

Schematic diagram of interaction between SPIKE protein and ACE2 protein. The virus is able to specifically recognize ACE2 on the membrane of host cell through the S protein on its surface, achieves the fusion of virus and host cell membrane and then enters the host cell.

Figure 2

Schematic diagram of LAMP technique. The LAMP method does not rely on an accurate temperature circulation system; thus, the amplification time of nucleic acid is shortened. The advantages of LAMP technology enable rapid detection and diagnosis of COVID-19, as well as a large-scale detection ①- ⑥: Initial procedures to form dumbbell-like structure. ⑦: amplification of LAMP (Bao et al., 2020; Obande and Singh, 2020).

Figure 3

The illustration of SHERLOCK principle (Bao et al., 2020).

Figure 4

The illustration of DETECTR detection principle (Bao et al., 2020).