Screening, Diagnostic and Prognostic Tests for COVID-19: A Comprehensive Review

While molecular testing with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) remains the gold-standard test for COVID-19 diagnosis and screening, more rapid or affordable molecular and antigen testing options have been developed. More affordable, point-of-care antigen testing, despite being less sensit...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mariana Ulinici, Serghei Covantev, James Wingfield-Digby, Apostolos Beloukas, Alexander G. Mathioudakis, Alexandru Corlateanu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-06-01
Series:Life
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/11/6/561
Description
Summary:While molecular testing with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) remains the gold-standard test for COVID-19 diagnosis and screening, more rapid or affordable molecular and antigen testing options have been developed. More affordable, point-of-care antigen testing, despite being less sensitive compared to molecular assays, might be preferable for wider screening initiatives. Simple laboratory, imaging and clinical parameters could facilitate prognostication and triage. This comprehensive review summarises current evidence on the diagnostic, screening and prognostic tests for COVID-19.
ISSN:2075-1729