Point-of-Care PCR Assays for COVID-19 Detection

• Published in: Biosensors (Basel) 2021-05, Vol.11 (5), p.141
• Main Authors: Gupta, Niharika, Augustine, Shine, Narayan, Tarun, O’Riordan, Alan, Das, Asmita, Kumar, D., Luong, John H. T., Malhotra, Bansi D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antigens; Automation; Biosensors; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 diagnostic tests; CRISPR; Design; digital PCR; electrochemical; Electrochemistry; Laboratories; Pandemics; point-of-care; Polymerase chain reaction; RNA-directed DNA polymerase; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Viruses; Work stations
• ISSN: 2079-6374; 2079-6374
• DOI: 10.3390/bios11050141

Molecular diagnostics has been the front runner in the world’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Particularly, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the quantitative variant (qRT-PCR) have been the gold standard for COVID-19 diagnosis. However, faster antigen tests and other point-of-care (POC) devices have also played a significant role in containing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 by facilitating mass screening and delivering results in less time. Thus, despite the higher sensitivity and specificity of the RT-PCR assays, the impact of POC tests cannot be ignored. As a consequence, there has been an increased interest in the development of miniaturized, high-throughput, and automated PCR systems, many of which can be used at point-of-care. This review summarizes the recent advances in the development of miniaturized PCR systems with an emphasis on COVID-19 detection. The distinct features of digital PCR and electrochemical PCR are detailed along with the challenges. The potential of CRISPR/Cas technology for POC diagnostics is also highlighted. Commercial RT–PCR POC systems approved by various agencies for COVID-19 detection are discussed.