COVID-19 Testing: An Overview for Pharmacists
by Parmida Parvaz, PharmD
"COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), remains an ongoing global pandemic, with millions of confirmed cases worldwide. Detection through diagnostic testing is vital in treating and controlling the spread of the virus. Since the identification of the viral genome, several testing methodologies have been developed. Testing can be classified into two categories: molecular testing and serology testing. Molecular tests detect the presence of virus and can signify an active infection, whereas serology testing detects viral antibodies, indicating a past infection and/or exposure.1 While the timing of viral and antibody presence can vary between patients, a general depiction of the different phases of COVID-19 can be seen in Figure 1. With the urgent need for broader testing capacities, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for a variety of in-vitro diagnostic devices to be used for the detection and management of COVID-19.2 Furthermore, routine labs for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 can be utilized to direct therapy for those with more severe disease."
Keywords: Humans,COVID-19, Pandemics, Antibodies, Viral, Reagent Kits, Diagnostic, United States Food and Drug Administration, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Serologic Tests, Genome, Viral, Infections, Longitudinal Studies
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2020 November/December Table of Contents
"COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), remains an ongoing global pandemic, with millions of confirmed cases worldwide. Detection through diagnostic testing is vital in treating and controlling the spread of the virus. Since the identification of the viral genome, several testing methodologies have been developed. Testing can be classified into two categories: molecular testing and serology testing. Molecular tests detect the presence of virus and can signify an active infection, whereas serology testing detects viral antibodies, indicating a past infection and/or exposure.1 While the timing of viral and antibody presence can vary between patients, a general depiction of the different phases of COVID-19 can be seen in Figure 1. With the urgent need for broader testing capacities, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for a variety of in-vitro diagnostic devices to be used for the detection and management of COVID-19.2 Furthermore, routine labs for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 can be utilized to direct therapy for those with more severe disease."
Keywords: Humans,COVID-19, Pandemics, Antibodies, Viral, Reagent Kits, Diagnostic, United States Food and Drug Administration, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Serologic Tests, Genome, Viral, Infections, Longitudinal Studies
Download PDF
2020 November/December Table of Contents