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Nucleic Acid Detection Methods for Respiratory Pathogens
With the rapid development and convergence of cutting-edge disciplines including genomics, engineering, and nanoscience, Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs) have evolved into diverse detection methods with continuously advancing technologies. These tests have played a crucial role in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic and have become the reference standard for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infections. Faced with numerous testing methods, clinicians and microbiology laboratories must carefully evaluate when to choose which method or combination of methods. The determining factors include epidemiology, laboratory resources, workflow processes, and testing costs. The performance characteristics of different respiratory pathogen nucleic acid detection technologies are compared in the table below.
Table: Comparison of Nucleic Acid Detection Technologies
| Technology Method | Performance Characteristics | Application | Commercial Reagents |
| Real-time fluorescent PCR | Pathogens: Single Throughput: Batch testing, high Detection limit: 100-1000 copies/mL TAT: ≈1.5-3h |
Outpatient/Emergency screening, mass population screening | Available |
| Multiplex PCR | Pathogens: Several to dozens Throughput: Batch testing, medium Detection limit: 1000 copies/mL TAT: ≈1.5-3h |
Epidemiological investigation, hospital-acquired severe pneumonia, community-acquired pneumonia, mixed infections | Available |
| Isothermal amplification | Pathogens: 1 to several Throughput: Variable Detection limit: 100-1000 copies/mL TAT: ≈0.5-1.5h |
Fever clinics, emergency departments, point-of-care testing | Available |
| Digital PCR | Pathogens: 1 to dozens Throughput: 4-7 specimens Detection limit: 1 copy/mL TAT: ≈3-4h |
Quantitative detection, therapeutic evaluation, environmental testing, reference/standard calibration | Available |
| Point-of-care nucleic acid testing | Pathogens: 1 to several Throughput: Variable Detection limit: 100-1000 copies/mL TAT: ≈0.5-1.5h |
Fever clinics, emergency departments, bedside testing | Available |
| Pathogen metagenomics high-throughput sequencing | Pathogens: Unknown, unlimited Throughput: 10-16/chip Detection limit: ≈1000 copies/mL TAT: ≈18-24h |
Complex severe cases undiagnosable by traditional pathogen detection | Not available |
| Multiplex pathogen targeted sequencing | Pathogens: Dozens to hundreds of known pathogens and their virulence/resistance genes Throughput: Variable Detection limit: 25-500 copies/mL TAT: ≈18-24h |
Outpatient/Emergency, fever clinics, general wards, ICU, recurrent respiratory infection investigation | Not available |
With the numerous pathogen detection technologies available today, selecting appropriate testing methods to better address clinical issues has become a crucial topic in achieving precision diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. Experts point out: "Different pathogen diagnostic methods each have their own applicable scenarios and prerequisites. The selection of suitable testing methods should be based on patient population, disease characteristics, suspected pathogen types, and local laboratory capabilities."
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For high-complexity testing environments, our premium flocked swabs feature superior sample collection and release rates, capable of handling over 95% specimen recovery. For routine clinical testing and hospital settings, our standard flocked swab series combines versatility with cost-effectiveness, efficiently collecting common respiratory, nasal, and throat specimens. For point-of-care testing scenarios, our rapid-test compatible swabs offer immediate sampling capabilities, supporting fast and accurate diagnostics.
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