Laboratory findings of SARS-COV-2 infection
The nucleic acid amplification test using RT-qPCR has become the gold
standard for detection of SARS-CoV-2. Novel methods have been reported
to enhance its efficacy and sensitivity27. IgG
antibody assays against the receptor binding domain (RBD) and S1 domain
were developed as an alternative diagnostic test, albeit with varying
accuracies depending on the assay used28. Overall,
antibody tests for SARS-COV-2 have high specificity but relatively lower
sensitivity, which varied with different immunoassays and
epitopes29. Antigen testing is inexpensive, can
provide results in a few minutes and be performed at home.
Population-wide antigen testing was demonstrated to reduce the
transmission of SARS-CoV-230. Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2
infection is associated with a longer duration of viral shedding and
needs to be promptly detected to stop viral
transmission31,32. The concentrations of neutrophil
extracellular traps increase in the plasma, trachea aspirate and lung
autopsies and contribute to the pathophysiology of
COVID-1933,34. Thus, blood neutrophil extracellular
traps can be a potential biomarker for SASR-CoV-2 infection. In
addition, asymptomatic patients have lower levels of SARS-COV-2 specific
IgG antibodies, which decay during the early convalescent
phase31. Laboratory changes during COVID-19 have been
reviewed and are summarized in our previous
studies35,36.
Risk and protective factors for susceptibility, severity and
mortality of COVID-19