Comparison of PCR vs Immunoassay vs Crispr-Based test
Author:
Huajun Bai1 Xiaolong Cai1, 2* Xiaoyan Zhang1
1. R&D Center, GeneMedi Co.Ltd., Shanghai, P.R. China (www.genemedi.net)
2. Hanbio Research Center, Hanbio Tech Co. Ltd., Shanghai, P.R. China (www.hanbio.net)
Abstract:
The outbreak of COVID-19, caused by 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), has been a global public health threat and caught the worldwide concern. Scientists throughout the world are sparing all efforts to explore strategies for the determination of the 2019-nCoV virus and diagnosis of COVID-19 rapidly. Several assays are developed for COVID-19 test , including RT-PCR, coronavirus antigens-based immunoassays, and CRISPR-based strategies (Cas13a or Cas12a), etc. Different assays have their advantages and drawbacks, and people should choose the most suitable assay according to their demands. Here, we make a brief introduction about these assays and give a simple overview of them, hoping to help doctors and researchers to select the most suitable assay for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 test (COVID-19 test) .
Comparison of PCR vs Immunoassay vs Crispr-Based test
Among the three methods for COVID-19 test, IgM/IgG point-of-care lateral flow test is the simplest and most rapid regardless of professional skill, and cost the least time with no requirement of additional instruments. Based on the detection of viral RNA, CRISPR-based tests are simpler and easier than RT-PCR test with no need for bulky instruments and complicated operations.
Table 4 A summary and comparison of different strategies for COVID-19 test.
| Methods | RT-PCR | Immunoassay based point-of-care lateral flow test | CRISPR-based test |
| Specificity | High | High | High |
| Consumption time | 4-6 hours | Within 15 min | Within 1 hour |
| Bulky instrumentation | Required | No requirement | No requirement |
| Disadvantage | False negative result may occur due to improper handling | Long term needed for antibody generation after infection | Off-targets may exist |
| Cost | High | Low | Low |
| Target | Different departments have various targets, such as Orf1ab, N gene, E gene | IgM/IgG against SARS-CoV-2 | SHERLOCK system: Orf1ab, S gene; DETECTR system: E gene and N gene. |
| Sample | Urine, blood, saliva, specimen from respiratory, etc. | Blood | Urine, blood, saliva, etc. |
Acknowledgement
Tribute to the medical staff fighting against the COVID-19 all over the world. Thanks for the helps from our colleagues from Hanbio Tech Co. Ltd., Shanghai, P.R. China (www.hanbio.net) and GeneMedi Co.Ltd., Shanghai, P.R. China (www.genemedi.com) respectively.
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