Rapid, Cheap, and Effective COVID-19 Diagnostics for Africa
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Date
2021-11-13
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
Abstract: Background: Although comprehensive public health measures such as mass quarantine
have been taken internationally, this has generally been ineffective, leading to a high infection and
mortality rate. Despite the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has been downgraded to epidemic
status in many countries, the real number of infections is unknown, particularly in low-income
countries. However, precision shielding is used in COVID-19 management, and requires estimates
of mass infection in key groups. As a result, rapid tests for the virus could be a useful screening
tool for asymptomatic virus shedders who are about to come into contact with sensitive groups. In
Africa and other low- and middle-income countries there is high rate of COVID-19 under-diagnosis,
due to the high cost of molecular assays. Exploring alternate assays to the reverse transcriptase
polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for COVID-19 diagnosis is highly warranted. Aim: This review
explored the feasibility of using alternate molecular, rapid antigen, and serological diagnostic assays
to accurately and precisely diagnose COVID-19 in African populations, and to mitigate severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RT-PCR diagnostic challenges in Africa. Method:
We reviewed publications from internet sources and searched for appropriate documents available in
English. This included Medline, Google Scholar, and Ajol. We included primary literature and some
review articles that presented knowledge on the current trends on SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics in Africa
and globally. Results: Based on our analysis, we highlight the utility of four different alternatives to
RT-PCR. These include two isothermal nucleic acid amplification assays (loop-mediated isothermal
amplification (LAMP) and recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA)), rapid antigen testing, and
antibody testing for tackling difficulties posed by SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing in Africa. Conclusion:
The economic burden associated COVID-19 mass testing by RT-PCR will be difficult for low-income
nations to meet. We provide evidence for the utility and deployment of these alternate testing
methods in Africa and other LMICs.
Description
Keywords
SARS-CoV-2, LAMP, recombinase amplification, COVID-19 diagnostics, Bayero University, Kano, ACEPHAP, ACE: Population Health and Policy, Baba Maiyaki Musa, Hadiza Shehu Galadanci
Citation
: Yusuf, L.; Appeaning, M.; Amole, T.G.; Musa, B.M.; Galadanci, H.S.; Quashie, P.K.; Aliyu, I.A. Rapid, Cheap, and Effective COVID-19 Diagnostics for Africa. Diagnostics 2021, 11, 2105. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/diagnostics11112105