COVID-19 Overview: Testing
Continuing Education Credits
This course provides essential background information on COVID-19 with emphasis on various testing methodologies available for the identification/diagnosis of suspected COVID-19 infections. The course also discusses how to identify possible prior COVID-19 infections and provides useful information for epidemiological and research studies. In addition, the course emphasizes the difference between diagnostic (viral) tests and antibody (serology) tests when used for COVID-19 testing. Updated information on COVID-19 treatments including current updates on vaccines are also provided.
Objectives
- Describe the structure and characteristics of coronaviruses.
- Describe the diseases caused by coronaviruses.
- Discuss the emergence of COVID-19 and its transmission, symptoms, and severity.
- Discuss the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
- Review the current vaccines available for COVID-19.
- Discuss the diagnosis of COVID-19 and the types of testing available.
- Describe NAAT, antigen tests, serology tests, and other COVID-19 tests.
Course Outline
- Coronavirus Background
- Overview
- Overview, continued
- Key Terms and Abbreviations:
- Which statement(s) are correct when describing Coronaviruses (CoVs)?
- True or False? CoVs that primarily infect human lung cells typically do so via a receptor for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2).
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- Emergence and Transmission
- Transmission
- Symptoms and Severity
- Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding COVID-19 transmission?
- True or False? Older people and individuals of all ages with medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease, may be at higher risk of developing COVID-19.
- Prevention
- Treatment
- Treatment, continued
- Treatment, continued
- In late 2020, the FDA approved an antiviral drug to treat COVID-19. The drug is approved to treat adults and children ages 12 and older, weighing at least 88 pounds. The drug acts to inhibit the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of the coronavirus to stall RNA synthesis, eventually making the virus inactive. What is the name of this drug?
- COVID-19 Vaccines
- COVID-19 Vaccines, continued
- COVID-19 Vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech
- COVID-19 Vaccines: Moderna
- COVID-19 Vaccines: Novavax
- Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)
- COVID-19 Variants
- Which of the following statements is FALSE regarding COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S.?
- COVID-19 Diagnosis
- Diagnosis Overview
- Diagnosis Overview, continued
- COVID Testing
- Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)
- Types of COVID-19 Tests
- True or False? Currently, a definitive diagnosis of COVID-19 is made using an antibody (serology) test to detect antibodies produced in response to the COVID-19 infection.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA can issue a special type of approval for a product, devise, test, or treatment without full FDA approval processing. What is the name of this special type of approval?
- Diagnostic (Viral) Tests
- Diagnostic (Viral) Tests: Molecular Tests
- Diagnostic (Viral) Tests: Antigen Tests
- Diagnostic (Viral) Tests: Conclusions
- Diagnostic (Viral) Tests: Methodology Overview
- Diagnostic (Viral) Tests: Methodology Overview, continued
- Diagnostic (Viral) Tests: Methodology Overview, continued
- Diagnostic (Viral) Tests: Methodology Overview, continued
- Diagnostic (Viral) Tests: Methodology Overview, continued
- Diagnostic (Viral) Tests: Methodology Overview, continued
- Diagnostic (Viral) Tests: Methodology Overview, continued
- Diagnostic (Viral) Tests: Methodology Overview, continued
- Diagnostic (Viral) Tests: Methodology Overview, continued
- All of the following statements are true when describing molecular tests for COVID-19 EXCEPT:
- True or False? Antigen tests for COVID-19 infection are typically immunoassays that detect a specific viral antigen and are used to indicate current COVID-19 infection.
- Which statement correctly describes COVID-19 antigen tests?
- Antibody (Serology) Tests
- Antibody (Serology) Tests
- Antibody (Serology) Tests, continued
- True or False? The CDC does not recommend using antibody testing to diagnose COVID-19 infections.
- Which method is currently used for antibody (serology) screening tests for COVID-19? Select all that apply.
- Other COVID-19 Tests
- Point of Care (POC) Tests and “At-Home” Testing
- Point of Care (POC) Tests and "At-Home" Testing, continued
- Point of Care (POC) Tests and "At-Home" Testing, continued
- True or False? Point-of-care tests for COVID-19 are performed at or near where specimens are collected with results obtained within minutes rather than hours or several days.
- All of the following statements correctly describe "At-Home" Testing for COVID-19 EXCEPT:
- The BinaxNOW™ Ag Card test is a commonly used at-home self-test to detect the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein from nasal swabs. What specific methodology does the test kit use?
- Commercially Available COVID-19 Tests
- Examples of Commercial COVID-19 Tests
- Examples of Commercial COVID-19 Tests, continued
- Match the COVID-19 test to the type of commercial test.
- All of the following statements correctly describe the BioPerfectus COVID-19 real-time RT-PCR test EXCEPT:
- Which test is a two-step enzyme chemiluminescent immunoassay that uses paramagnetic particles to detect IgG antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus?
- References
- References
Additional Information
Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: Clinical laboratory professionals including medical laboratory scientists, medical technologists, and technicians. This course is also appropriate for clinical laboratory science and MLT students, pathologists, and clinicians.
Author Information: David J. Moffa, PhD, BCLD, has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry as an executive manager, clinical laboratory director, and medical laboratory scientist. He is currently a technical consultant for Kentmere Healthcare, Wilmington, DE, and until his retirement, was the Regional Director for LabCorp, Inc. He holds a PhD in medical biochemistry from the School of Medicine, West Virginia University.
Reviewer Information:
Sharon Strauss, MS, SM(NRCM), MLS(ASCP)CMSMCMDLMCM completed her Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology at Kutztown State College and Master of Science in Training and Organization Development at Saint Joseph's University. She currently serves as Microbiology Supervisor at Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital in West Chester, PA. She has been a medical laboratory scientist in a supervisory role for over 45 years. She is board-certified as a Medical Laboratory Scientist and Diplomat in Laboratory Management through the ASCP Board of Certification and holds Specialist in Microbiology certifications through the ASCP Board of Certification and National Registry of Certified Microbiologists.
Joshua J. Cannon, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. He holds Medical Laboratory Scientist and Specialist in Hematology certifications through the ASCP Board of Certification. He was a professor at Thomas Jefferson University for seven years before transitioning into his current role as Education Developer at MediaLab. His areas of expertise and professional passions include clinical hematology and interprofessional education.
Course Description: This course provides essential background information on COVID-19 with emphasis on various testing methodologies available for the identification/diagnosis of suspected COVID-19 infections and to help identify possible prior COVID-19 infections and provide useful information for epidemiological and research studies. In addition, the course emphasizes the difference between diagnostic (viral) tests and antibody (serology) tests when used for COVID-19 testing. Updated information on COVID-19 treatments including current updates on vaccines are also provided.