SARS-CoV-2 Testing Methods

Speaker: Dr. Matt Binnicker Director of Clinical Virology Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Mayo Clinic Description: Since the declaration of a pandemic in March 2020, there have been strong efforts by laboratories and industry to make diagnostic tests available to identify and control COVID-19, which is caused by the virus known as SARS-CoV-2. The first type of test to hit the market were molecular assays, most commonly real-time PCR tests. These have continued to be the gold-standard method for diagnosis of COVID-19. However, there have been challenges often related to the global shortage of swabs to perform sample collection from patients, as well as the transport media for those swabs due to the unprecedented demand and the need for massive scale up in a very short time. In the months after molecular diagnostics were available, other technologies to test for COVID-19 have become available. Rapid development of lateral flow immunoassays also took place, which could be used for point-of-care detection of antibodies in patients with presumed exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Subsequently, laboratory-based serology tests have been implemented in a number of clinical laboratories for detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Most recently, we’ve seen a significant amount of interest in rapid, point-of-care antigen tests, of which there are now multiple commercial options that have been authorized for use. Each of these testing options comes with specific advantages and limitations. Objectives include: Ensure the participants know what types of diagnostic technologies have been developed for detection of SARS-CoV-2. Identify when each type of test should be used during the course of the disease and on which type of individuals they are most appropriate. Understand the strengths and limitations of each type of test when it comes to detecting SARS-CoV-2 in patients. Speaker:  Matthew Binnicker, PhD Director of Clinical Virology Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Continuing Education Credits: Level of Instruction: Intermediate Level Contact Hours: 0.5 hours DiaSorin Molecular is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E. Program® For Continuing Education credits, please go to the below link for a brief test and to submit your contact information. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA... Please email Tiffany Monreal at [email protected] for any questions.