Researchers out of Spain have successfully achieved proof of concept for a new optical method of detecting COVID-19 infection that is faster and requires simpler equipment compared to PCR. The new tool combines hyperspectral imaging and data processing based on advanced statistics and artificial intelligence. It was able to detect SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal exudate from symptomatic patients with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 87.5%.
Currently, the leading diagnostic test for COVID-19 diagnosis is laboratory-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It provides excellent sensitivity and specificity at relatively low expensive, but because it requires complex equipment and reagents, it is usually performed by highly skilled personnel at centralized laboratory facilities. Turnaround times vary from several hours to days.
By contrast, the newly developed method allows rapid processing without contact or reagents and with relatively simple equipment usable by personnel with minimal training. It can also be easily deployed in “resource-constrained settings.” The method was able to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in fresh saliva of asymptomatic people, as well as to detect, differentiate and quantify two types of synthetic viruses—lentiviruses and synthetic coronaviruses—in saline solution and artificial saliva.
The authors caution, however, that the results constitute a proof of concept with relatively small numbers of cases under partially controlled laboratory conditions. The group is currently working on validating the new methodology under generic conditions, including new variants of the virus and the effects of vaccines.
The method and its implementation were designed by Professor Emilio Gomez-Gonzalez, Professor of Applied Physics at the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería at the University of Seville.
The paper, entitled, “Optical imaging spectroscopy for rapid, primary screening of SARS-CoV-2: a proof of concept,” was published recently in the journal Scientific Reports. The ongoing project, called C-CLEAN, is being carried out by more than 30 researchers of 11 Spanish institutions. University of Seville acted as research coordinator.