O laboratório clínico na pandemia COVID-19

Abstract

By March 2020, the World Health Organization announced Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) as a global pandemic. They encourage countries to detect, prevent and treat, to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection. On that scenario, several laboratory tests was developed, commercialized and authorized to use, despite no performance evidence, and it reveals low diagnostic accuracy. Objective: This study brief a narrative review on the main methods for laboratory diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus) infection, its techniques, clinical and laboratory aspects and limitations. Methodology: This review from bibliographic research on databases such as the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), between the months of December 2019 to June 2020. The following keywords were used for the search: Diagnosis, Laboratory Test, Coronavirus Infections, Betacoronavirus, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Immunoglobulin M, Immunoglobulin G and their translations into Portuguese. From this research, 28 articles were selected, which supported this review. Conclusion: The analysis of the literature shows as the best strategy for an accurate diagnosis in COVID-19 is a combined use of direct and indirect methods.