Wikipedia:WikiProject COVID-19/Translation Task Force/COVID-19 testing (long)
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Laboratory testing for the respiratory coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the associated SARS-CoV-2 virus includes methods that detect the presence of virus and those that detect antibodies produced in response to infection. Detection of antibodies, called serology, can be used both for clinical purposes and population surveillance. As of March 2020, most countries have limited virus testing to vulnerable individuals, so it is not possible to reliably calculate the prevalence of the virus.[1] Detection of the virus is frequently done by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) method[2] on respiratory samples obtained by various methods, including nasopharyngeal swab or sputum sample.[3] Blood test for large scale testing of individuals to detect antibodies produced by the body as a result of an infection is under development.[4] Chest CT scans can sometimes help identify and characterize lung pathology, and have yielded non-specific findings with COVID-19 infection.[5] Some countries have drive-through testing where samples are taken from suspected individuals by a healthcare professional using appropriate precautions.[6]
Test methods
[edit]Virus detection
[edit]COVID-19 virus can be detected using real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR).[2] The test can be done on respiratory samples obtained by various methods, including nasopharyngeal swab or sputum sample.[3] Results are generally available within a few hours to 2 days.[7]
Antibody detection
[edit]Part of the immune response to infection is the production of antibodies including IgM and IgG. These can be used to detect infection in individuals, to determine immunity, and in population surveillance. Blood samples are usually tested for antibody detection. As of March 2020, these tests have not yet been made available for large scale testing.[8][4]
CT scans
[edit]Most common CT scan findings were bilateral ground-glass attenuation (patchy or diffuse) with subpleural dominance, crazy paving and consolidations at later stages.[9] These findings are nonspecific and found as well in other types of pneumonia. Thus, CT scan is not recommended for initial screening of COVID-19 as of March 2020.
References
[edit]- ^ Ioannidis, John P.A. (March 17, 2020). "A fiasco in the making? As the coronavirus pandemic takes hold, we are making decisions without reliable data". STAT. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
- ^ a b "2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Situation Summary". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 30 January 2020. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
- ^ a b "Real-Time RT-PCR Panel for Detection 2019-nCoV". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 29 January 2020. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ a b "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ^ Salehi, Sana; Abedi, Aidin; Balakrishnan, Sudheer; Gholamrezanezhad, Ali (2020-03-14). "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Systematic Review of Imaging Findings in 919 Patients". American Journal of Roentgenology: 1–7. doi:10.2214/AJR.20.23034. ISSN 0361-803X. PMID 32174129.
- ^ Hawkins, Andrew J. (2020-03-11). "Some states are offering drive-thru coronavirus testing". The Verge. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
- ^ "Curetis Group Company Ares Genetics and BGI Group Collaborate to Offer Next-Generation Sequencing and PCR-based Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Testing in Europe". GlobeNewswire News Room. 30 January 2020. Archived from the original on 31 January 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ Commissioner, Office of the (21 March 2020). "Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Issues first Emergency Use Authorization for Point of Care Diagnostic". FDA. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
- ^ Lee, Elaine Y. P.; Ng, Ming-Yen; Khong, Pek-Lan (24 February 2020). "COVID-19 pneumonia: what has CT taught us?". The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 0. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30134-1. ISSN 1473-3099. PMID 32105641. Retrieved 13 March 2020.