What is it about?
The aim of this review is to assess the prospects of widespread and fast testing for SARS-CoV-2, examining the different testing platforms (molecular, rapid antigen, serology, and patient management tests); their system components, processes, and logistics; and their emergency use authorization status. We also consider strategies to expand screening, such as pooled testing, screening programs, and surveillance testing. Lastly, we raise the issues and difficulties that must be addressed to enable universal testing and diagnostics, such as detecting subtle infectivity profiles, accounting for new variants, reducing cost, and providing test kits.
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Why is it important?
The aim of this review is to assess the prospects of widespread and fast testing for SARS-CoV-2, examining the different testing platforms (molecular, rapid antigen, serology, and patient management tests); their system components, processes, and logistics; and their emergency use authorization status. We also consider strategies to expand screening, such as pooled testing, screening programs, and surveillance testing. Lastly, we raise the issues and difficulties that must be addressed to enable universal testing and diagnostics, such as detecting subtle infectivity profiles, accounting for new variants, reducing cost, and providing test kits. We address the current situation of population-wide and speedy testing for SARS-CoV-2 and review different technologies available, such as molecular and rapid antigen tests, serology and antibody tests, and tests for managing COVID-19 patients. We consider products authorized by the FDA to diagnose and detect COVID-19 infections.
Perspectives
We share our perspectives on COVID-19 pooled testing, screening programs, and surveillance testing to enable quicker screening. We also discuss the potential challenges in terms of detecting low infectivity levels, variants mapping, cost reduction, training a large healthcare workforce, and providing test kits to the general public. We aim to comprehend the possibility of widespread access to COVID-19 testing and diagnostics in the near future, while being aware of the possible challenges during the development and distribution of new testing platforms.
Prof Santosh Pandey
Iowa State University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: COVID-19 Testing and Diagnostics: A Review of Commercialized Technologies for Cost, Convenience and Quality of Tests, Sensors, October 2021, MDPI AG,
DOI: 10.3390/s21196581.
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