Molecular accuracy vs antigenic speed: SARS-CoV-2 testing strategies

The pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has hit every corner of the world faster than any infectious disease ever known. In this context, rapid and accurate testing of positive cases are essential to follow the test-trace-isolate strategy (TETRIS), which has proven to be a key approach to constrain viral spread. Here, we discuss how to interpret and combine molecular or/and antigen-based detection methods for SARS-CoV-2 as well as when they should be used. Their application can be cleverly designed as an algorithm to prevent viral dissemination according to distinct epidemiological contexts within surveillance programs.

Automated summary

The article discusses the interpretation and combination of molecular or antigen-based detection methods for SARS-CoV-2, as well as their appropriate usage in different epidemiological contexts.