# SARS-CoV-2 codes discussion

**URL:** <https://forum.loinc.org/t/sars-cov-2-codes-discussion/1047>\
**Category:** general-discussion\
**Created:** [March 9, 2020, 9:32am UTC](https://forum.loinc.org/t/sars-cov-2-codes-discussion/1047 "2020-03-09T09:32:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![on9cloud](https://forum.loinc.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/bcef8e/32.png) [@on9cloud](https://forum.loinc.org/u/on9cloud)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 9:32am UTC](https://forum.loinc.org/t/sars-cov-2-codes-discussion/1047/1 "2020-03-09T09:32:08Z")

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If multiple countries have different test, it may be a good idea to have a methodless code for quantitative and qualitative testing for SARS-CoV-2

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The problem with termporary codes is that the loinc part for SARS-CoV-2 is not listed.

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To take analogy with quantitative test for HIV 1 RNA here [https://loinc.org/21333-0/](https://loinc.org/21333-0/)

I know that ‘HIV 1 RNA’ has code \<span style=“color: #000000; font-family: Consolas, Monaco, monospace; white-space: pre-wrap;”\>LP38425-2\</span\>

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It is not clear what LP code is for ‘SARS coronavirus 2 RNA’

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\<a href=“[https://loinc.org/94309-2/](https://loinc.org/94309-2/)”\>[https://loinc.org/94309-2/&lt;/a&gt](https://loinc.org/94309-2/&lt;/a&gt);

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The LOINC code info page should have an option to display LP codes for all components.

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**Author:** ![timbriscoe](https://forum.loinc.org/user_avatar/forum.loinc.org/timbriscoe/32/901_2.png) [@timbriscoe](https://forum.loinc.org/u/timbriscoe)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 12:26pm UTC](https://forum.loinc.org/t/sars-cov-2-codes-discussion/1047/2 "2020-03-09T12:26:38Z")

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Hello Vojtech, what is your use case for the Part codes?

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**Author:** ![on9cloud](https://forum.loinc.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/bcef8e/32.png) [@on9cloud](https://forum.loinc.org/u/on9cloud)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 2:27pm UTC](https://forum.loinc.org/t/sars-cov-2-codes-discussion/1047/3 "2020-03-12T14:27:16Z")

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The use case is to create as few as possible OMOP codes outside LOINC.

OMOP CDM uses LOINC and embraces it.

Recently, there are efforts to better capture LOINC parts in OMOP Vocabulary. See here [https://forums.ohdsi.org/t/improve-loinc-representation-in-omop-vocabulary-athena-link-parts-to-lab-tests/7925](https://forums.ohdsi.org/t/improve-loinc-representation-in-omop-vocabulary-athena-link-parts-to-lab-tests/7925)

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Knowing the LPs (including temporary ones) is crucial for following correctly LOINC concept model.

LOINC will at some point adopt some framework for postcoordination.

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As terminologist, I have few thoughts on how from components one could create good classification codes.

E.g., test from sputum for SARS-CoV-2, test from sputum for SARS-CoV-2 RNA,

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The LOINC search supports such nice searchers (unfortunately not for temporary codes). e.g. [https://search.loinc.org/searchLOINC/search.zul?query=hiv+1+RNA+Methodless%3Atrue](https://search.loinc.org/searchLOINC/search.zul?query=hiv+1+RNA+Methodless%3Atrue)

search is: ‘hiv 1 RNA Methodless:true’

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The release of those codes was coordinated with SNOMED CT (per here [http://www.snomed.org/news-and-events/articles/changes-coronavirus-descriptions](http://www.snomed.org/news-and-events/articles/changes-coronavirus-descriptions) ) which is great. I like that LOINC has temp codes published and can respond more flexibly. No temp code page for SNOMED CT ☹

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I would also like to propose a LOINC group for SARS-CoV-2 tests. (and have concept of temp groups (inbetween releases).

I would like to propose at least one (or several) methodless codes for SARS-CoV-2

In fact there should be a policy for methodless codes accross all of LOINC lab content. (and it should be consistent) (or some postcoordination grammar (expression language) where my expression is deemed equivalent to an existing pre-coordinated code.)

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I would also like to see parent-child hierarchy between LP for ‘SARS-CoV-2 RNA’ and LP ‘SARS coronavirus 2 N gene’

And be able to search for any component that is child of ‘SARS-CoV-2’ or ‘SARS-CoV-2 RNA’

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(that in fact assumes temp codes do show up in \<b\>the \</b\>LOINC search page.)

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p.s.

By the way, upgrading this forum to some newer platform would be great. (allow ctr+V to insert image in my post)

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**Author:** ![on9cloud](https://forum.loinc.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/bcef8e/32.png) [@on9cloud](https://forum.loinc.org/u/on9cloud)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 1:44pm UTC](https://forum.loinc.org/t/sars-cov-2-codes-discussion/1047/4 "2020-03-17T13:44:12Z")

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This wikipedia page has gene targets. Generic code that covers them all (or separate code for each line in the table) may be needed.  
\<p style=“box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; font-stretch: normal; color: #3c4245;”\>\<strong style=“box-sizing: border-box;”\>Summary table of available protocols\</p\>

| \<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"\>Country | \<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"\>Institute | \<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"\>Gene targets |
| China | China CDC | ORF1ab and N |
| Germany | Charité | RdRP, E, N |
| Hong Kong SAR | HKU | ORF1b-nsp14, N |
| Japan | National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Department of Virology III | Pancorona and multiple targets, Spike protein |
| Thailand | National Institute of Health | N |
| US | US CDC | Three targets in N gene |
| France | Institut Pasteur, Paris | Two targets in RdRP

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\<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19\_testing#Antibody"\>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19\_testing#Antibody\</a\>

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**Author:** ![sabhyankar](https://forum.loinc.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@sabhyankar](https://forum.loinc.org/u/sabhyankar)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 9:19am UTC](https://forum.loinc.org/t/sars-cov-2-codes-discussion/1047/5 "2020-03-18T09:19:23Z")

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We have generic codes - “SARS Coronavirus 2 RNA” as well as specific codes for different targets. If you haven’t already, please check out our special SARS-CoV-2 FAQ page: [https://loinc.org/sars-coronavirus-2/](https://loinc.org/sars-coronavirus-2/)

These codes will be added to our Groups content for the June release, but at this time, we are not planning to release temporary Groups or Parts before then.

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**Author:** ![on9cloud](https://forum.loinc.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/bcef8e/32.png) [@on9cloud](https://forum.loinc.org/u/on9cloud)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2020, 12:43pm UTC](https://forum.loinc.org/t/sars-cov-2-codes-discussion/1047/6 "2020-03-30T12:43:32Z")

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During OHDSI COVID19 study-a-thon - we found out that LOINC codes help us only half the way. It is good that we have a code for RNA test, but the result of that test can still vary and be coded as ‘Detected’ or ‘Positive’ or ‘Not Detected’ or ‘Negative’. For qualitative tests, recommending via a nudge (not requiring) some possible result values (just like example units) may be a way to do the last mile of standardization.

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See the details about coded values as results here: [https://forums.ohdsi.org/t/covid19-etl-help-for-converting-your-data-into-omop/10269](https://forums.ohdsi.org/t/covid19-etl-help-for-converting-your-data-into-omop/10269)

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**Author:** ![system](https://forum.loinc.org/uploads/default/original/1X/dbab97ce9b2987d788a376e254fcaae249f3b672.png) [@system](https://forum.loinc.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [June 23, 2023, 3:36pm UTC](https://forum.loinc.org/t/sars-cov-2-codes-discussion/1047/7 "2023-06-23T15:36:44Z")

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