Table 3.
Comparison of common testing modalities.
| Time to Perform Assay | Limit of Detection(Viral Copies/uL) | Infection Status | Coinfection Identification | Ability to Detect Presence of Variant Strains ** | Ability to Provide Sequencing Data for Scientific Study | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| qPCR | 4–6 h | 0.1–3.16 [13,66] |
Active | If organism is actively targeted | Usually | No |
| NGS | 12–18 h | 0.125–1 [67,68] |
Active | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Serology | Variable | Sensitivity: 93.3–100% [69] | Persistent/Resolved * | If organism is actively targeted | Usually | No |
* IgM slowly rises during week 1 of infection, peaking at 2 weeks before falling to low levels. IgG levels are usually detected at 1 week, remaining elevated for an extended period [69]. Humoral and Cell-mediated Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 are the subject of much present research. ** qPCR and serology are susceptible to decreasing sensitivity in the face of viral mutations, while mNGS is able to sequence any variant genomes present in a sample. Cost is unaddressed in this table due to the complexity and variability of spending on healthcare in the US. At the moment, qPCR is a less expensive alternative to NGS.