Dynamic profile for the detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using four immunochromatographic assays

• Published in: The Journal of infection Vol. 81; no. 2; pp. e6 - e10
• Main Authors: Demey, Baptiste, Daher, Nagib, François, Catherine, Lanoix, Jean-Philippe, Duverlie, Gilles, Castelain, Sandrine, Brochot, Etienne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-08-2020; WB Saunders; The British Infection Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd
• Subjects: Antibodies, Viral - analysis; Antibodies, Viral - immunology; Antibody; Betacoronavirus - immunology; Clinical Laboratory Techniques - methods; Coronavirus Infections - diagnosis; Coronavirus Infections - ethnology; Coronavirus Infections - immunology; COVID-19; COVID-19 Testing; COVID-19 Vaccines; Humans; Immunoassay - methods; Lateral flow assay; Life Sciences; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral - diagnosis; Pneumonia, Viral - immunology; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; SARS-CoV-2; Sensitivity and Specificity; COVID-19; Lateral flow assay; SARS-CoV-2; Antibody
• ISSN: 0163-4453; 1532-2742
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2020.04.033

In order to fight the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic infection, there is a growing need and demand for diagnostic tools that are complementary and different from the RT-PCR currently in use. Multiple serological tests are or will be very soon available but need to be evaluated and validated. We have thus tested 4 immunochromatographic tests for the detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. In addition, we assessed the kinetics of antibody appearance using these assays in 22 patients after they were tested positive by RT-PCR. We observed great heterogeneity in antibody detection post-symptom onset. The median antibody detection time was between 8 and 10 days according to the manufacturers. All the tests showed a sensitivity of 60 to 80% on day 10 and 100% on day 15. In addition, a single cross-reaction was observed with other human coronavirus infections. Thus, immunochromatographic tests for the detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies may have their place for the diagnostic panel of COVID-19.