![]() ![]() ![]() The use of testing strategies with a rapid turnaround may allow for an earlier detection and better isolation of confirmed cases compared to laboratory-based diagnostic methods, as well as facilitate earlier treatment decisions and provide guidance on appropriate use of personal protective equipment. RT–PCR assays performed in certified laboratories are highly sensitive and specific, but require expensive and complex analyzers operated by certified and highly skilled laboratory workers in many cases, these tests have required turnaround times of nearly a week or more. Early in the pandemic, detection of SARS-CoV-2 relied predominately on reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) assays performed in moderate to high complexity CLIA-certified laboratories. ![]() Definitive diagnosis requires laboratory detection of virus and is required for patients to be eligible for both clinical trials and current antiviral drugs and biologicals approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) ( Tu and O'Leary, 2020). Infected individuals may be asymptomatic or may have a range of symptoms varying from a mild upper respiratory illness or gastrointestinal distress to severe respiratory distress with multisystem failure and death ( Wiersinga et al., 2020). The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus has infected over 63 million people worldwide, causing over 1,500,000 deaths as of December 1, 2020. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |