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
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Antibody Detection Is Critical for COVID-19 Diagnosis

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 06 May 2020
Print article
Image: Antibody Detection Is Critical for COVID-19 Diagnosis (Photo courtesy of Minnesota Department of Health).
Image: Antibody Detection Is Critical for COVID-19 Diagnosis (Photo courtesy of Minnesota Department of Health).
Accurate and fast diagnosis of the causative SARS CoV-2 is important to isolate the patients with COVID-19 timely and stop the epidemics, as well as save people's lives. Viral nucleic acid detection using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, which has been developed and used for detection of SARS-CoV-2 rapidly, remains the standard diagnosis of COVID-19.

The human antibody response which is crucial for the clearance of the initial virus infection has been widely used to help diagnosis virus infection. Compared to RT-PCR assays, the detection of antibody assays are often faster, less expensive, easy-to-use and accessible to staff without laboratory training. The antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can be detected in the middle and later stage of the illness using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Scientists at the Tongji Medical College (Wuhan, China) evaluated IgM and IgG antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 virus infection from patients treated at Union Hospital between January 19, 2020, and March 2, 2020. A total of 216 serum samples from 85 patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were obtained in different time periods after symptoms onset.

Total RNAs were extracted from nasopharyngeal and/or oropharyngeal swabs samples of patients suspected of having SARS-CoV-2 infection within two hours using the respiratory sample RNA isolation kit and were used for real-time RT-PCR assay of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The serum SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgM and IgG) of the subjects were detected using a sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (Livzon Inc, Zhuhai, China).

The scientists reported that the IgM and IgG antibodies were detected positive as early as on the 4th day after onset. The seropositive rate of IgM increased gradually and IgG was increased sharply on the 12th day after onset. In the confirmed patients with COVID-19, the sensitivity rate of IgM was 77.3%, specificity was 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) was 100%, negative predictive value (NPV) was 80%, and consistency rate was 88.1%. The respective rates for IgG were 83.3.3%, 95.0%, 94.8%, 83.8%, and 88.9%. In a different cohort of 24 patients with suspected COVID-19, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and consistency rate of IgM were 87.5%, 100%, 100%, 95.2%, and 96.4%. The respective rates for IgG were 70.8%, 96.6%, 85.0%, 89.1%, and 88.1%.

The authors concluded that the detection of antibodies against COVID-19 based on ELISA appears to be a valid approach to serodiagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. The specific circulating antibody can be uniformly detected, therefore avoiding false-negative results due to sampling or potential absence of viruses in the respiratory system. COVID-19 pneumonia can be diagnosed based on seropositive of specific antibodies as an alternative to viral nucleic acid detection with clear advantages. The study was published on April 19, 2020 in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Related Links:
Tongji Medical College
Livzon Inc


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
Complement 3 (C3) Test
GPP-100 C3 Kit
Gold Member
Reagent Reservoirs
Reagent Reservoirs

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The study showed the blood-based cancer screening test detects 83% of people with colorectal cancer with specificity of 90% (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)

Blood Test Shows 83% Accuracy for Detecting Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S., with forecasts suggesting 53,010 people might die from it in 2024. While fewer older adults are dying from this... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy

Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The new platform is designed to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Blood Test Cuts Diagnosis Time for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections from Months to Hours

Breathing in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a common experience for many people. These bacteria are present in water systems, soil, and dust all over the world and usually don't cause any problems.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.