How to detect a virus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z07CK-4JoFo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5zi2P4lggw
What does SARS-CoV-2 qPCR tests detect? Viral RNA.

Reverse Transcription uses RNA as a template.

The SARS-CoV-2 genome is RNA.

Diagnostic qPCR test for SARS-CoV-2 detect viral sequences including:
- N gene (nucleocapsid)
- S gene (spike)
- O gene (Orf1a/b)

What does a positive SARS-CoV-2 qPCR test tell you?
- Viral RNA has been detected
- Individual is infected
- Individual might still be infectious

What does a negative SARS-CoV-2 qPCR test tell you?
- There was no detectable viral RNA in the sample

A positive control tells you if your assay can detect positive samples.
Good experimental/assay design is crucial:
- True positive
- False positive
- True negative
- False negative

Lateral Flow immunoassays
- Detect antibodies, proteins
- Similar to ELISA

A positive Lateral Flow antigen test result tells you:
- The test detected viral antigen
- The individual tested is/was infected
- The individual might still be infectious

A negative Lateral Flow antigen test result tells you:
- The test did not detect viral antigen in the sample

A test for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies tells us if someone is likely to have been exposed to the virus