Detection of COVID-19 virus : Pros and cons of detection method of COVID-19 virus

So far we have discovered the different techniques used to detect the COVID-19 virus from patients but what are the advantages and disadvantages of all these test? 

1. Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

Advantages

• This technique is widely accepted by medical staffs and scientist as a robust and well documented technique
• The technology is already in place to test for COVID-19 since RT-PCR is commonly used in research and medicine. 
• Allows medical staffs to determine who is currently infected or not because RT-PCR can detect current infections of disease.

Disadvantages 

• RT-PCR relies on capturing and detecting the virus and so it is possible to miss patients who have cleared virus and recovered from the disease.
• The distribution of virus across the respiratory tract varies between patients meaning that even if a person is infected, the virus may only be detectable in the septum or nasopharyngeal swab but not necessarily at both locations at the same time.
• RT-PCR for COVID-19 can only tell if a person is currently infected with this particular coronavirus. It cannot provide information on the other diseases or symptoms. 

2. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

Advantages

• It is a simple and cheap laboratory technique
• Is well established and documented within science and medicine.
• The results can typically be produced within 1-3 hours of collecting a patient sample.
• Cuts down the time of diagnosis since ELISA can quickly performed in a hospital laboratory.
• Can be used for rapid testing scaled up to test larger number because ELISA can be completed on multiple samples at once.

Disadvantages

• ELISA test are not yet well established for SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 testing, although many companies are working hard to produce then and test them on patients.
• Not an accurate technique as further testing would be needed to check if a patient is currently infected

3. Rapid Serology Antibody Test

Advantages

• It is simple, fast, safe laboratory technique
• No need for trained staffs
• Require only 10-15 minutes per test
• No special equipment needed
• Useful in determining your current status if you are infected COVID-19 but show no mild sign and symptoms of illness.
• Help in developing vaccine that may help build up the body natural defence against the infection, creating immunity to the disease.

Disadvantages

• Has low quality test which often produce false-positive result in early stages
• False sense of immunity as some people may think having COVID-19 antibodies means they are immune to the virus and would not catch it again.
• May develop active infection even though you test negative for COVID-19 antibodies