We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
Technopath Clinical Diagnostics - An LGC Company

Download Mobile App





Finger-Prick Blood Test Identifies Immunity to COVID-19

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 26 Sep 2022
Print article
Image: A finger-prick blood test can identify people most at risk of being reinfected with COVID-19 (Photo courtesy of ImmunoServ)
Image: A finger-prick blood test can identify people most at risk of being reinfected with COVID-19 (Photo courtesy of ImmunoServ)

Recent efforts to identify those least protected from COVID-19 reinfection have focused on quantifying antibodies recognizing the surface spike protein of SARS-CoV2. Although measuring antibodies on a larger scale in a population is relatively easy, the levels do not give the full picture of protection from re-infection, especially as variants of SARS-CoV-2 emerge. Now, a simple finger-prick test that measures the presence of immune T cells which can recognize SARS-CoV-2 will help determine which individuals are most vulnerable, and who might need more focused interventions such as repeated booster vaccinations.

Over 300 volunteers were recruited from across the UK in early 2022 to assess the novel test developed by ImmunoServ Ltd. (Cardiff, UK) in close collaboration with Cardiff University (Cardiff, UK). The test used a simple finger-prick blood sample collected at home and sent to a laboratory by post allowing anyone within the UK to be part of the study. Individuals with the largest T cell response to the virus were best protected from COVID-19 over the following three months, regardless of their levels of antibodies to the virus.

The study highlighted the potential for more accurate assessment of an individual’s immunity to COVID-19. The new test brings the focus away from ‘just measured’ antibody responses to take into account T cell mediated immunity. The Cardiff team say their work highlights the need to assess how long immune responses persist in the population, with uncertainty around whether repeated booster vaccinations will be required in future, and who will need them.

“Many individuals worry about their risk of contracting COVID-19, whether they have been previously vaccinated or not,” said Dr. Martin Scurr, lead author of the study. “Our test identified that it is the level of T cell response induced by prior vaccination or infection that associated with the risk of that individual contracting COVID-19 in the months following the blood test.”

“Long-term immunity screening using such a test would allow us to monitor longevity of responses that prevent COVID-19 and identify the most vulnerable members of our society who may need earlier booster vaccinations,” added Andrew Godkin, Professor of Experimental Medicine and Immunology at Cardiff University and co-senior author of the work.

Related Links:
ImmunoServ Ltd. 
Cardiff University 

Platinum Supplier
SARS-CoV-2 Test
One Step SARS-CoV-2 Nucleic Acid Detection Kit (P761H)
New
Fecal Calprotectin Testing Reagent
OC-FCa Reagent
New
Celiac Disease PCR Test
XeliGen XL
New
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Test
Kemilo TSH Kit

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chem.

view channel
Image: Brief schematic diagram of the detection principle and method (Photo courtesy of CAS)

Rapid, Non-Invasive Method Diagnoses Type 2 Diabetes by Sniffing Urinary Acetone

Over 90% of diabetes cases are attributed to Type 2 diabetes (T2D), a prevalent metabolic condition that is expected to impact 380 million individuals globally by 2025. Despite being highly accurate, the... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: Researchers have identified the origin of subset of autoantibodies that worsen lupus (Photo courtesy of Pexels)

Lupus Biomarker Testing Could Help Identify Patients That Need Early and Aggressive Treatment

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body's antibodies, which usually protect against infections, attack healthy cells and proteins. These autoantibodies can... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: A genetic test could guide the use of cancer chemotherapy (Photo courtesy of Pexels)

Genetic Test Predicts Whether Bowel Cancer Patients Can Benefit From Chemotherapy

Late-stage bowel cancer patients usually undergo a series of chemotherapies and targeted medicines for cancer treatment. However, the responses to the last-line chemotherapy treatment trifluridine/tipiracil... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: Use of DBS samples can break barriers in hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment for populations at risk (Photo courtesy of Pexels)

DBS-Based Assay Effective in Hepatitis C Diagnosis and Treatment for At Risk Populations

In a bid to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, the World Health Organization (WHO) has put forth a proposed strategy. To this end, researchers at the Germans Trias i Pujol Research... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: New research has opened a path for fast and accurate cancer diagnosis (Photo courtesy of Imagene)

AI-Based Image Analysis Software Profiles Cancer Biomarkers in Real Time

Lung cancer is the most widespread type of cancer worldwide, resulting in approximately 1.76 million fatalities annually. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of all lung cancer diagnoses... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Live view of non-fluorescent specimens using the glowscope frame (Photo courtesy of Winona State University)

Device Converts Smartphone into Fluorescence Microscope for Just USD 50

Fluorescence microscopes are utilized to examine specimens labeled with fluorescent stains or expressing fluorescent proteins, like those tagged with green fluorescent protein. However, since these microscopes... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The global antimicrobial resistance diagnostics market size is expected to reach USD 5.7 billion by 2028 (Photo courtesy of Pexels)

Global Antimicrobial Resistance Diagnostics Market Driven by Increasing Hospital-Acquired Infections

Antimicrobial drugs are intended to counteract the harmful effects of microbes and promote a healthy life. However, their excessive use can result in the development of resistance, commonly referred to... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2023 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.