login
Home / Papers / Diagnostic strategies for SARS-CoV-2 infection and interpretation of microbiological results

Diagnostic strategies for SARS-CoV-2 infection and interpretation of microbiological results

173 Citations2020
Giorgia Caruana, Antony Croxatto, Alix T. Coste

The present review discusses performances, limitations and use of current and future diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 and real-time RT-PCR remains the reference method for diagnosis.

Abstract

Real-time RT-PCR remains the reference method for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. On the other hand, notwithstanding its varying sensitivity according to the time of infection, serology represents a valid asset (a) to try to solve possible discrepancies between a highly suggestive clinical and radiological presentation and negative RT-PCR, (b) to solve discrepancies between different PCR assays and (c) for epidemiological purposes.