scholarly journals In Vitro Diagnostic Assays for COVID-19: Recent Advances and Emerging Trends

Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Kumar Vashist

There have been tremendous advances in in vitro diagnostic (IVD) assays for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The main IVD assays used for COVID-19 employ real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) that takes a few hours. But the assay duration has been shortened to 45 min by Cepheid. Of interest is the point-of-care (POC) molecular assay by Abbott that decreased the assay duration to just 5 min. Most molecular tests have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under emergency use authorization (EUA) and are Conformité Européenne (CE) marked. A wide range of serology immunoassays (IAs) have also been developed that complement the molecular assays for the diagnosis of COVID-19. The most prominent IAs are automated chemiluminescent IA (CLIA), manual ELISA, and rapid lateral flow IA (LFIA), which detect the immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) produced in persons in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The ongoing research efforts and advances in complementary technologies will pave the way to new POC IVD assays in the coming months. However, the performance of IVD assays needs to be critically evaluated before they are employed for the clinical diagnosis of COVID-19.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Kumar Vashist ◽  
Subramanian Murugan ◽  
Guiffo Djoko

There have been tremendous advances in in vitro diagnostics (IVD) for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although the confirmatory clinical diagnosis is made by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) based viral antigen (Ag) detection is used for mass population screening at point-of-care (POC) settings. The rapid RT-PCR tests (such as from Cepheid and Bosch) have an assay duration of less than 40 min, while most rapid Ag tests (such as Abbott’s BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag card) have an assay duration of about 15 min. Of interest is the POC molecular test (ID NOW™) from Abbott that takes less than13 min. Similarly, many immunoassays (IAs), i.e., automated chemiluminescent IA (CLIA), manual ELISA, and LFIA, have been developed to detect immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and immunoglobulin A (IgA) produced in subjects after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Many IVD tests have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under emergency use authorization (EUA), and almost all IVD tests are Conformité Européenne (CE) certified.


Author(s):  
Charles W. Wilkinson ◽  
Hershel Raff

AbstractWe have characterized the performance of a commercial two-site immunoradiometric assay for manual in vitro diagnostic measurement of plasma corticotropin from Scantibodies Laboratory. We compared the results with those of a similar commonly used assay from Nichols Institute Diagnostics that has recently been withdrawn from production. The lower detection limit, range of the standard curve, cross-reactivity, and intra-assay and inter-assay imprecision of the two assays are very similar. Measurement of clinical samples and a series of samples from an experimental subject demonstrate high correlations between the two assays. These factors, together with recent clearance by the United States Food and Drug Administration for manual in vitro diagnostic measurement, make the Scantibodies corticotropin immunoradiometric assay an appropriate replacement for the Nichols assay.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 483
Author(s):  
Immacolata Polvere ◽  
Alfredina Parrella ◽  
Giovanna Casamassa ◽  
Silvia D’Andrea ◽  
Annamaria Tizzano ◽  
...  

SARS-CoV-2 is a zoonotic betacoronavirus associated with worldwide transmission of COVID-19 disease. By the beginning of March, WHO reported about 113,820,000 confirmed cases including more than 2,527,000 deaths all over the world. However, the true extent of virus circulation or its real infection/fatality ratio is not well-estimated due to the huge portion of asymptomatic infections. In this observational study, we have estimated the prevalence of specific immunoglobulin M and G directed towards SARS-CoV-2 antigen in a cohort of 1383 adult volunteers aged over 65 years old, living in the district of Benevento, in the South of Italy. Serological screening was carried out on capillary blood in September 2020, seven months after pandemic outbreak in Italy, to evaluate virus circulation and antibody response among elderly adults, in which severe symptoms due to viral infection are more common. The overall seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 4.70% (CI 3.70%–5.95%) with no statistically significant differences between sexes. Among these, 69.69% (CI 55.61%–77.80%) tested positive to IgM, 23.08% (CI 14.51%–34.64%) to IgG and 9.23% (CI 4.30%–18.71%) was positive for both. All patients that were positive to IgM underwent molecular testing through RT-qPCR on oral-rhino pharyngeal swabs and only one specimen was positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection. Instead, the presence of IgG from screened volunteers was confirmed by re-testing serum samples using both an ELISA assay validated for in vitro diagnostic use (IVD) and a recently published synthetic peptide-based ELISA assay. In conclusion, our report suggests that (1) early restrictions were successful in limiting COVID-19 diffusion in the district of Benevento; (2) rapid serological analysis is an ideal testing for both determining real seroprevalence and massive screening, whereas detection of viral RNA remains a gold standard for identification of infected patients; (3) even among people without COVID-19 related symptoms, the antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 antigens has individual features.


2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwan M. Azar ◽  
Marie L. Landry

ABSTRACT An accurate laboratory diagnosis of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other respiratory viruses can help to guide patient management, antiviral therapy, infection prevention strategies, and epidemiologic monitoring. Influenza has been the primary driver of rapid laboratory testing due to its morbidity and mortality across all ages, the availability of antiviral therapy, which must be given early to have an effect, and the constant threat of new pandemic strains. Over the past 30 years, there has been an evolution in viral diagnostic testing, from viral culture to rapid antigen detection, and more recently, to highly sensitive nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), as well as a trend to testing at the point of care (POC). Simple rapid antigen immunoassays have long been the mainstay for POC testing for influenza A and B viruses and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) but have been faulted for low sensitivity. In 2015, the first POC NAAT for the detection of influenza was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ushering in a new era. In 2017, the FDA reclassified rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) from class I to class II devices with new minimum performance standards and a requirement for annual reactivity testing. Consequently, many previously available RIDTs can no longer be purchased in the United States. In this review, recent developments in Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA)-waived testing for respiratory virus infections will be presented, with the focus on currently available FDA-cleared rapid antigen and molecular tests primarily for influenza A and B viruses and RSV.


1995 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 429-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lamb LSJr ◽  
RS Parrish ◽  
SF Goran ◽  
MH Biel

BACKGROUND: The development of user-friendly laboratory analyzers, combined with the need for rapid assessment of critically ill patients, has led to the performance of in vitro diagnostic testing at the point of care by personnel without formal laboratory training. OBJECTIVES: To determine the range of laboratory testing performed by critical care nurses and their attitudes toward this role. METHODS: A survey of critical care nursing consultants was conducted, using a modified Likert scale, to assess objective measures of point-of-care testing practice in critical care units and to determine nurses' attitudes toward the practice of point-of-care testing. Statistical analysis was performed to determine significant trends in responses. RESULTS: Of the units responding to the survey, 35% used critical care nurses exclusively to perform point-of-care testing, 32.5% used laboratory technicians and critical care nurses, and 25% used other personnel. Of critical care nurses performing laboratory testing, 95.5% performed blood glucose analysis; 18.7%, arterial blood gas analysis; 4.5%, electrolyte analysis; 4.5%, hematology profiles; and 22.7%, other testing. Most agreed that stat tests were not reported promptly, thereby necessitating bedside testing. Respondents indicated that they would prefer that laboratory personnel operate in vitro diagnostic equipment and that requirements for critical care nurses to perform laboratory testing detracted from other patient care duties. CONCLUSIONS: Most nurses who perform point-of-care testing responded that it was necessary and helpful in patient management. However, they would prefer, because of their other patient care responsibilities, that laboratory personnel take this responsibility.


Micromachines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charmet ◽  
Rodrigues ◽  
Yildirim ◽  
Challa ◽  
Roberts ◽  
...  

Microsystems are key enabling technologies, with applications found in almost every industrial field, including in vitro diagnostic, energy harvesting, automotive, telecommunication, drug screening, etc. Microsystems, such as microsensors and actuators, are typically made up of components below 1000 microns in size that can be manufactured at low unit cost through mass-production. Yet, their development for commercial or educational purposes has typically been limited to specialized laboratories in upper-income countries due to the initial investment costs associated with the microfabrication equipment and processes. However, recent technological advances have enabled the development of low-cost microfabrication tools. In this paper, we describe a range of low-cost approaches and equipment (below £1000), developed or adapted and implemented in our laboratories. We describe processes including photolithography, micromilling, 3D printing, xurography and screen-printing used for the microfabrication of structural and functional materials. The processes that can be used to shape a range of materials with sub-millimetre feature sizes are demonstrated here in the context of lab-on-chips, but they can be adapted for other applications. We anticipate that this paper, which will enable researchers to build a low-cost microfabrication toolbox in a wide range of settings, will spark a new interest in microsystems.


Author(s):  
Danielle B Freedman

With the introduction of clinical governance in the UK during 1997 and the shift in focus from a purely financial perspective to one of quality, it has become even more important that laboratories become involved with in vitro diagnostic devices (IVDs) used outside the laboratories by non-laboratory personnel, namely, point-of-care testing (POCT). The demand for POCT is increasing and its growth will continue with advances in technology, increasing pressure to shorten patient length of stay and requirements to decrease turnaround times, alongside the national initiatives to consolidate laboratories. However, clinical governance is about practising evidence-based medicine, and both the clinical and cost-effectiveness of POCT continue to be debated. Accountability and leadership are pivotal in the implementation of clinical governance. Thus, the onus is on laboratories to take the lead for POCT and ensure that there is a robust risk management strategy to protect not only the staff, but, importantly, the patient. A rigorous POCT policy and national guidance must be adhered to. For a high quality POCT service to be delivered, fulfilling the requirements of clinical governance, a multidisciplinary local group must be established with recognized accountability, appropriate resources and, importantly, management support.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy R. Eugene ◽  
Beata Eugene ◽  
Marek Masiak ◽  
Jolanta Sylwia Masiak

Objective: Antipsychotic compounds are known to induce sedation somnolence and have expanded clinical indications beyond schizophrenia to regulatory approval in bipolar disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and is being repurposed in infectious diseases and oncology. However, the medical sciences literature lacks a comprehensive association between sedation and somnolence among a wide-range of antipsychotic compounds. The objective of this study is to assess the disproportionality of sedation and somnolence among thirty-seven typical and atypical antipsychotics.Materials and Methods: Patient adverse drug reactions (ADR) cases were obtained from the United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) between January 01, 2004 and September 30, 2020 for a wide-array of clinical indications and off-label use of antipsychotics. An assessment of disproportionality were based on cases of sedation and somnolence and calculated using the case/non-case methodology. Statistical analysis resulting in the reporting odds-ratio (ROR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were conducted using the R statistical programming language.Results: Throughout the reporting period, there were a total of 9,373,236 cases with 99,251 specific ADRs reporting sedation and somnolence. Zuclopenthixol (n = 224) ROR = 13.3 (95% CI, 11.6–15.3) was most strongly associated of sedation and somnolence and haloperidol decanoate long-acting injection (LAI) was not statistically associated sedation and somnolence. Further, among atypical antipsychotic compounds, tiapride and asenapine were the top two compounds most strongly associated with sedation and somnolence. Comprehensively, the typical antipsychotics ROR = 5.05 (95%CI, 4.97–5.12) had a stronger association with sedation and somnolence when compared to atypical antipsychotics ROR = 4.65 (95%CI, 4.47–4.84).Conclusion: We conducted a head-to-head comparison of thirty-seven antipsychotics and ranked the compounds based on the association of sedation and somnolence from ADR data collected throughout 16 years from the FAERS. The results are informative and with recent interests in repurposing phenothiazine antipsychotics in infectious disease and oncology provides an informative assessment of the compounds during repurposing and in psychopharmacology.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii2-ii2
Author(s):  
Koichi Ichimura

Abstract Molecular diagnosis is now an official part of the diagnosis of brain tumors. Since WHO2016 incorporated the status of IDH mutation and 1p/19q codeletion as a part of the definition for oligodendrogliomas, astrocytomas and glioblastomas, molecular tests have become an essential part of the clinical management of adult gliomas. However, these tests are not covered by the National Health Insurance in Japan, and the cost and the limited availability of tests are prohibitive to perform molecular tests in most hospitals where brain tumor patients are treated. In 2015, the Committee for Molecular Diagnosis of Brain Tumor was established within the Japan Society for Neuro-Oncology in order to develop a standardized molecular tests for adult gliomas under the National Health Insurance. For the detection of 1p/19q codeletion, FISH is the most commonly used method. However, the widely available commercial FISH probe is located within 1p36, the regions where partial deletion often occurs in glioblastoma. This could lead to miss-judgement of 1p/19q codeletion which may result in miss-diagnosis. We have designed a novel FISH probes located in the region of 1p and 19q where partial deletions are rarely found, and are developing them as an in vitro diagnostic tests. Our ultimate aim is to establish a standardized molecular tests for adult gliomas under the National Health Insurance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 1307-1312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan Stevens ◽  
Catherine A Hogan ◽  
Malaya K Sahoo ◽  
ChunHong Huang ◽  
Natasha Garamani ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Numerous nucleic acid amplification assays utilizing different target genes of the SARS-CoV-2 genome have received emergency use authorization (EUA) by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Limited data are available comparing the test performance characteristics of these assays. Methods A diagnostic comparison study was performed to evaluate the performance of the Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 assay compared to the Hologic Panther Fusion SARS-CoV-2 assay using clinical nasopharyngeal specimens. Agreement between the two assays was assessed by overall, positive, and negative percent agreement and Cohen’s kappa coefficient. Results A total of 104 (54 positive and 50 negative) clinical nasopharyngeal samples were tested by both assays. Using the Panther Fusion as a reference standard, the Xpert demonstrated an overall agreement of 99.0% [95% confidence interval (CI): 94.8–100], positive percent agreement of 98.1% (95% CI: 90.1–100), and a negative percent agreement of 100% (95% CI: 94.2–100). The kappa coefficient was 0.98 (95% CI: 0.94–1.0). One sample positive by the Panther Fusion with a cycle threshold (Ct) of 38.6 was found to be reproducibly negative by the Xpert assay. Conclusions The Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 assay provides test performance comparable to the Hologic Panther Fusion SARS-CoV-2 assay while offering laboratories rapid, on-demand testing capacity.


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