Diagnostic Tools for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Comparing CT and RT-PCR Viral Nucleic Acid Testing
Joseph V. Waller, Parveer Kaur, Amy Tucker, Keldon K. Lin, Michael J. Diaz, Travis S. Henry, Michael D. Hope
Abstract
OBJECTIVE. Multiple studies suggest CT should be a primary diagnostic tool for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) because they reported sensitivities with CT far superior to that of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing. This review aimed to assess these reports and found chest CT to have a clinical utility that is limited, particularly for patients who show no symptoms and patients who are screened early in disease progression.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)CoronavirusDiseasePolymerase chain reactionDiagnostic testVirologyNucleic acid test2019-20 coronavirus outbreakReverse transcriptaseInternal medicineInfectious disease (medical specialty)GeneEmergency medicineOutbreakChemistryBiochemistryCOVID-19 Clinical Research StudiesCOVID-19 diagnosis using AISARS-CoV-2 detection and testing