Differential Diagnosis in the Management of Acute Respiratory Infections through Point-of-Care Rapid Testing in a Post-Pandemic Scenario in Latin America: Special Focus on COVID-19, Influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Carlos Arturo Alvarez-Moreno, Evaldo Stanislau Affonso de Araújo, Elsa Baumeister, Katya A. Nogales Crespo, Alexis M. Kalergis, José Esteban Muñoz Medina, Pablo Tsukayama, Cesar Ugarte-Gil

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

This review provides a comprehensive summary of evidence to explore the role and value of differential diagnosis in the management of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) through point-of-care (POC) rapid testing in a post-pandemic scenario, paying particular attention to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The document builds on a review of literature and policies and a process of validation and feedback by a group of seven experts from Latin America (LATAM). Evidence was collected to understand scientific and policy perspectives on the differential diagnosis of ARIs and POC rapid testing, with a focus on seven countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Peru. The evidence indicates that POC rapid testing can serve to improve ARI case management, epidemiological surveillance, research and innovation, and evidence-based decision-making. With multiple types of rapid tests available for POC, decisions regarding which tests to use require the consideration of the testing purpose, available resources, and test characteristics regarding accuracy, accessibility, affordability, and results turnaround time. Based on the understanding of the current situation, this document provides a set of recommendations for the implementation of POC rapid testing in LATAM, supporting decision-making and guiding efforts by a broad range of stakeholders.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)221-260
Number of pages40
JournalCOVID
Volume4
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • acute respiratory infections
  • COVID-19
  • diagnostic testing
  • health policies
  • influenza
  • Latin America
  • point-of-care testing
  • rapid testing
  • respiratory syncytial virus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Microbiology (miscellaneous)
  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Infectious Diseases

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