good diagnostic is salvation from coronavirus?

Few monts ago, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus a pandemic, a new study illustrated the importance of combining molecular diagnostics to rule out common pathogens and performed mNGS to obtain unbiased potential pathogen result for the diagnosis of UP.

Various diagnostic methods were used during the initial search of this novel virus, yet their pros and cons have not been discussed thoroughly.

Ever since the diagnosis of pathogen reached the era of molecular approaches, a variety of methods have showed to increase diagnostic efficacy. In this particular case, RT–PCR, CRISPR, and metagenomics sequencing have all exhibited their potential in the rapid diagnosis of newly emerging microorganism. However, lessons should be learned from this outbreak.

Acute viral respiratory tract infection is one of the major causes of unexplained pneumonia, especially in winter. Culture, as the widely recognized gold standard, is time-consuming and labour intensive. Conventional diagnostic methods such as direct/indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and rapid antigen detection also have their own significant limitations.

Concluding, in the future, pros and cons of each molecular diagnostics should be thoroughly taken into consideration by the physicians to reach a more informational and accurate clinical diagnosis.

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