Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR.
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR.
Int J Biol Sci. 2022 Jul 11;18(12):4610-4617. doi: 10.7150/ijbs.72837. eCollection 2022.
During the 2 years since the start of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the scientific world made an enormous effort to fight against this disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has high transmissibility. Advancements in vaccine and treatment strategies have reduced both the hospitalization and mortality rates. However, the virus has shown its ability to evolve and evade from our COVID-19 combating armamentaria by the most common evolution mechanism-mutation. Diagnostic testing has been the first line of defense following the identification of the causative agent. Ever since, the scientific community has developed nuclei acid-based, antigen-based, and antibody-based diagnostic tests, and these testing methodologies are still playing a central role in slowing down viral transmission. These testing methods have different sensitivity and specificity and could be optimally used in areas facing different challenges owing to different level and conditions of COVID-19 outbreak. In this review, we discuss these testing methodologies as well as the considerations on how to apply these diagnostic tests optimally in the community to cope with the ever-changing pandemic conditions.
自 2019 年新型冠状病毒病(COVID-19)大流行开始以来的 2 年中,科学界为抗击由高传染性的严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒 2(SARS-CoV-2)引起的这种疾病做出了巨大努力。疫苗和治疗策略的进步降低了住院率和死亡率。然而,该病毒已经表现出通过最常见的进化机制——突变来从我们的 COVID-19 对抗武器库中进化和逃避的能力。诊断测试是在确定病原体后的第一道防线。从那时起,科学界已经开发了基于核酸、基于抗原和基于抗体的诊断测试,这些测试方法仍然在减缓病毒传播方面发挥着核心作用。这些测试方法具有不同的灵敏度和特异性,可以根据 COVID-19 爆发的不同水平和情况在面临不同挑战的地区得到最佳应用。在这篇综述中,我们讨论了这些测试方法以及如何在社区中最佳应用这些诊断测试以应对不断变化的大流行情况的考虑因素。