Can colloidal Gold Immunochromatography Assay test be alternative to RT-PCR test for diagnosis of COVID-19?
The current standard laboratory test for COVID-19 diagnosis is RT-PCR which identifies the viral genomic RNA has several disadvantages being time-consuming, expensive and high requirements of laboratory. A meta-analysis study by Zhang Z.L et al (2020) and Lisboa Bastos M et al (2020) reveals the diagnostic efficacy of RT-PCR test remains unclear. This leads to search of urgently identifying tests with better diagnostic accuracy. Gold Immunochromatography assay (GICA) might be used as preferred method for obtaining accuracy and efficacy. GICA test has following advantages that it can be widely used (blood, serum and plasma can be detected); fast detection (10-15 minutes for whole process); simple operation (no professional technical personnel required for the equipment); low cost and easy to use. Through the study conducted by Shen B et al (2020); found that IgM/IgG test demonstrated high sensitivity 71.1% and specificity 96.2% in 150 suspect COVID-19 cases taking RT-PC...