Table 3.

Detection methods for SARS-CoV-2.

Type	RT-PCR	RT-LAMP	CRISPR-Cas12	Enzyme linked immuno- assay	Rapid diagnostic test
Detection	N gene, E gene, RdRp	N gene, S gene, ORF1ab,	N gene, E gene	IgM/IgG antibodies	IgM/IgG antibodies
Sample type	Nasopharyngeal swab, Oropharyngeal swab	Nasopharyngeal swab, Oropharyngeal swab	Nasopharyngeal swab, Oropharyngeal swab	Plasma or Serum	Plasma or Serum
Time point	Symptom onset	Symptom onset	Symptom onset	Days/weeks after symptom onset	Days/weeks after symptom onset
Advantages	High accuracy, High reliability, Direct detection	High accuracy, High reliability, Rapid detection, Color visualized by the naked eye	High accuracy High reliability	High specificity	Low cost, Ease of use, High specificity
Disadvantages	Labor intensive, Errors with sample collection	Carry-over contamination	High limit of detection	Lower sensitivity	Lower sensitivity
References	(74, 78)	(87, 88)	(89)	(78–80)	(78, 80, 90)

RT-PCR testing is highly sensitive and widely applied. Limitations are false positive results and prolonged test positivity after recovery from active COVID-19. The characteristics of serology tests for antibodies and innovative CRISPR-Cas methods are shown.

RdRp: RNA dependent RNA polymerase.