Challenges in the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection

Abstract

The etiological diagnosis of COVID-19 is only feasible by detecting nucleic acid content (i.e., RNA) of SARS-CoV-2 in the biological samples, which is an almost logical result of this clear connotation.5,6 Despite the fact that the SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test has become the gold standard for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection thoroughout the world. However, these real-time PCR test kits have a number of drawbacks. Aside from the sample collection and transportation limitations, as well as kit results, the overall positive rate of RT-PCR for throat swab samples was estimated to be between 30% and 60% at first presentation. There are two types of SARS–CoV-2 experiments: those that detect the virus itself and those that detect the host’s reaction to the virus. While the virus can be cultured, this is a dangerous procedure that is not done in clinical laboratories on a regular basis.5-7