BACKGROUND: The usability of laboratory tests related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is critically important for the world undergoing the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aimed to assess the diagnostic usability of rapid tests for the detection of antibody against SARS-CoV-2 through comparison of their results with the results of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA and with the results of a quantitative test for antibody detection. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 18 patients undergoing RT-PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2. Twelve patients were RT-PCR positive while six were negative. A quantitative test based on chemiluminescent immunoassay and three rapid tests based on immunochromatography were performed to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM. RESULTS: All the antibody tests exhibited poor sensitivity at the timing of initial RT-PCR diagnosis. IgG responses occurring prior to or simultaneously with IgM responses were observed through not only the quantitative test but also the three rapid tests. Based on concordance with the quantitative test results, the large variance among the three rapid tests was revealed. CONCLUSIONS: All antibody tests were unsatisfactory to replace RT-PCR for the early diagnosis of COVID-19. Rapid antibody tests as well as a quantitative antibody test were useful in the assessment of immune responses in COVID-19. The obvious variance among the three rapid tests suggested limited accuracy and difficult standardization. Diagnostic usability of rapid antibody tests for COVID-19 should be investigated rigorously.
BACKGROUND: The usability of laboratory tests related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is critically important for the world undergoing the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aimed to assess the diagnostic usability of rapid tests for the detection of antibody against SARS-CoV-2 through comparison of their results with the results of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA and with the results of a quantitative test for antibody detection. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 18 patients undergoing RT-PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2. Twelve patients were RT-PCR positive while six were negative. A quantitative test based on chemiluminescent immunoassay and three rapid tests based on immunochromatography were performed to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM. RESULTS: All the antibody tests exhibited poor sensitivity at the timing of initial RT-PCR diagnosis. IgG responses occurring prior to or simultaneously with IgM responses were observed through not only the quantitative test but also the three rapid tests. Based on concordance with the quantitative test results, the large variance among the three rapid tests was revealed. CONCLUSIONS: All antibody tests were unsatisfactory to replace RT-PCR for the early diagnosis of COVID-19. Rapid antibody tests as well as a quantitative antibody test were useful in the assessment of immune responses in COVID-19. The obvious variance among the three rapid tests suggested limited accuracy and difficult standardization. Diagnostic usability of rapid antibody tests for COVID-19 should be investigated rigorously.
Entities:
Keywords:
COVID-19; IgG; IgM; SARS-CoV-2; rapid antibody test
Authors: Wendelin Moser; Mohammed Ahmed Hassan Fahal; Elamin Abualas; Shahinaz Bedri; Mahgoub Taj Elsir; Mona Fateh El Rahman Omer Mohamed; Abdelhalim Babiker Mahmoud; Amna Ismail Ibrahim Ahmad; Mohammed A Adam; Sami Altalib; Ola Adil DafaAllah; Salahaldin Abdallah Hmed; Andrew S Azman; Iza Ciglenecki; Etienne Gignoux; Alan González; Christine Mwongera; Manuel Albela Miranda Journal: Emerg Infect Dis Date: 2022-05 Impact factor: 6.883
Authors: Michele Mun Hei Chan; Ka-Yi Leung; Ricky Rui Qi Zhang; Danlei Liu; Yujing Fan; Matthew Ka Wa Khong; Anthony R Tam; Honglin Chen; Kwok-Yung Yuen; Ivan F N Hung; Kwok-Hung Chan Journal: Microbiol Spectr Date: 2022-03-07