Introduction

. The multiple and unknown characteristics of coronavirus 2019-nCoV causing acute respiratory syndrome and millions of deaths worldwide prompted the rapid development of laboratory diagnostic techniques and kits based on the amplification of viral sequences or the determination of antibodies in blood, however, after their application disagreements were generated between the result with the true positivity or negativity of the disease.

Objective

. The following review seeks to characterize and evaluate the use of molecular and serological techniques, according to factors such as sensitivity and specificity, type of specimen and detection target.

Methodology

. The Scopus and Web of Since databases were used, obtaining 136 articles of which 25 met the inclusion criteria such as development, clinical validation and standardization of the technique, as well as new proposed methodologies.

Results

. 17 items correspond to the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 by molecular techniques and 8 by serological techniques. The greatest number of publications found came from China (5) and the United States (4), European countries (8) and Asia (6) while, in Latin America, publications were found from Brazil (1) and Ecuador (1).

Conclusions

. In relation to the above, molecular assays stand out for their high sensitivity and specificity and are used at any stage of the disease. Serological tests are recommended as a complement to molecular tests as well as for disease monitoring instead of being the only diagnostic marker.