Multimedialna platforma wiedzy medycznej Internetowa Księgarnia Medyczna Kalendarium Konferencji
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology
MENU
Shortcuts Submit an article Author Guidelines Ahead Of Print Editorial Office Manuscript Submission Reviewers 2023 Best Original Paper Award

open access

Vol 70, No 6 (2020)
Review paper
Published online: 2020-10-13
View PDF Download PDF file
Get Citation

The launch of a COVID-19 diagnostic laboratory in an oncology hospital – a review of guidelines and the laboratory team’s own experiences

Dagmara Michałowska1, Aleksandra Zagrabska1, Ewelina Czykałko1, Natalia Skowrońska1, Dorota Blomka1, Krzysztof Szufnarowski1, Ireneusz Pawlak1, Adam Maciejczyk12, Izabela Łaczmańska13
DOI: 10.5603/NJO.2020.0051
·
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2020;70(6):262-266.
Affiliations
  1. Wroclaw Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Wroclaw, Poland
  2. Department of Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
  3. Department of Genetics, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland

open access

Vol 70, No 6 (2020)
COVID-19
Published online: 2020-10-13

Abstract

The first case of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, from whence the virus spread across the world within several weeks. Due to the alarming level of infections, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced a SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on 12 March. This dynamic and unprecedented epidemiological situation created an urgent need to carry out SARS-CoV-2 tests in individuals meeting the criteria defined for COVID-19 suspect cases. According to the current WHO recommendations, active SARS-CoV-2 infection diagnostics is based on molecular method using a real-time reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR). Highly specific and sensitive, this method makes it possible to detect even a small amount of RNA particles of the virus in the tested sample. Undoubtedly, the launch of new COVID laboratories and the implementation of adequate procedures increases the effectiveness of activities aimed at directly combatting the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The population of oncological patients is particularly exposed to the risk of complications and death resulting from the SARS-CoV-2 infection; therefore it is essential to ensure them the possibility of quick testing for COVID-19. This article presents the authors’ own experiences as well as technical and formal issues related to the launching of a SARS-CoV-2 laboratory.

Abstract

The first case of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, from whence the virus spread across the world within several weeks. Due to the alarming level of infections, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced a SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on 12 March. This dynamic and unprecedented epidemiological situation created an urgent need to carry out SARS-CoV-2 tests in individuals meeting the criteria defined for COVID-19 suspect cases. According to the current WHO recommendations, active SARS-CoV-2 infection diagnostics is based on molecular method using a real-time reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR). Highly specific and sensitive, this method makes it possible to detect even a small amount of RNA particles of the virus in the tested sample. Undoubtedly, the launch of new COVID laboratories and the implementation of adequate procedures increases the effectiveness of activities aimed at directly combatting the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The population of oncological patients is particularly exposed to the risk of complications and death resulting from the SARS-CoV-2 infection; therefore it is essential to ensure them the possibility of quick testing for COVID-19. This article presents the authors’ own experiences as well as technical and formal issues related to the launching of a SARS-CoV-2 laboratory.

Full Text:

View PDF Download PDF file
Get Citation

Keywords

COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; diagnostics; real-time RT-PCR

About this article
Title

The launch of a COVID-19 diagnostic laboratory in an oncology hospital – a review of guidelines and the laboratory team’s own experiences

Journal

Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology

Issue

Vol 70, No 6 (2020)

Article type

Review paper

Pages

262-266

Published online

2020-10-13

Page views

860

Article views/downloads

1373

DOI

10.5603/NJO.2020.0051

Bibliographic record

Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2020;70(6):262-266.

Keywords

COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2
diagnostics
real-time RT-PCR

Authors

Dagmara Michałowska
Aleksandra Zagrabska
Ewelina Czykałko
Natalia Skowrońska
Dorota Blomka
Krzysztof Szufnarowski
Ireneusz Pawlak
Adam Maciejczyk
Izabela Łaczmańska

References (12)
  1. Laboratory testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in suspected human cases. Interim guidance, 2 March 2020, WHO.
  2. Laboratory biosafety guidance related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Interim guidance, 12 February 2020, WHO.
  3. Katarzyna Dzierżanowska-Fangrat, Konsultant krajowy w dziedzinie mikrobiologii lekarskiej, Zasady pobierania i transportu materiału do badań metodami molekularnymi RT PCR w kierunku SARS-CoV-2, aktualizacja 14.04.2020. https://kidl.org.pl/get-file/2671 (13.05.2020).
  4. Rekomendacje NIZP-PZH w zakresie diagnostyki molekularnej SARS-CoV-2 Warszawa 24.04.2020. https://www.pzh.gov.pl/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Rekomendacje-w-zakresie-diagnostyki-molekularnej-SARS-CoV-2.pdf (13.05.2020).
  5. Rekomendacje NIZP-PZH: Wymagania dotyczące pobrania i transportu materiału do badań metodą RT-PCR w kierunku zakażeń układu oddechowego powodowanych przez koronawirusy (SARS; MERS; SARS-CoV-2 – COVID-19). Warszawa 29.02.2020. https://www.pzh.gov.pl/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Wymagania-dotycz%C4%85ce-materia%C5%82u-do-bada%C5%84-COVID-19-29.02.2020.pdf (13.05.2020).
  6. CDC Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Persons for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
  7. Zalecenia i rekomendacje Polskiego Towarzystwa Onkologicznego dla pacjentów onkologicznych w związku z epidemią wirusa SARS-CoV-2 08.042020.
  8. Leczenie systemowe pacjentów z rozpoznaniem choroby nowotworowej w kontekście pandemii SARS-CoV-2 — stanowisko Polskiego Towarzystwa Onkologii Klinicznej 20.03.2020.
  9. Guan WJ, Ni ZY, Hu Yu, et al. China Medical Treatment Expert Group for Covid-19. Clinical Characteristics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in China. N Engl J Med. 2020; 382(18): 1708–1720.
    CrossRefPubMed
  10. Wojciechowska U, Didkowska J. Zachorowania i zgony na nowotwory złośliwe w Polsce. Krajowy Rejestr Nowotworów, Narodowy Instytut Onkologii im. Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy. http://onkologia.org.pl/raporty/ (13.05.2020).
  11. Matheeussen V, Corman VM, Donoso Mantke O, et al. RECOVER project and collaborating networks. International external quality assessment for SARS-CoV-2 molecular detection and survey on clinical laboratory preparedness during the COVID-19 pandemic, April/May 2020. Euro Surveill. 2020; 25(27).
    CrossRefPubMed
  12. Rekomendacje dotyczące walidacji badań molekularnych w kierunku SARS-CoV2 w sieci laboratoriów COVID, Ministerstwo Zdrowia 21.04.2020.

Regulations

Important: This website uses cookies. More >>

The cookies allow us to identify your computer and find out details about your last visit. They remembering whether you've visited the site before, so that you remain logged in - or to help us work out how many new website visitors we get each month. Most internet browsers accept cookies automatically, but you can change the settings of your browser to erase cookies or prevent automatic acceptance if you prefer.

Wydawcą serwisu jest VM Media Group sp. z o.o., ul. Świętokrzyska 73, 80–180 Gdańsk

tel.:+48 58 320 94 94, faks:+48 58 320 94 60, e-mail: viamedica@viamedica.pl