COVID-19 Antibody Testing
COVID-19 Lab-Based Test (Antibody Immunoassay)
The COVID-19 Antibody Immunoassay is a blood test that is designed to detect the human antibodies lgG & lgM. Upon infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the patient’s immune system fights the virus by producing specialized immune cells known as antibodies. The two major types of antibodies employed in the fight against viruses of this type are IgM and IgG.
- lgM is a class of antibodies that appears early after infection (as early as 3-5 days). lgM is the body’s first line of defense against a foreign invader.
- lgG is another class of antibody that appears later and gradually replaces the lgM antibodies. Typically, lgG antibodies appear in the blood circulation within 2- 4 weeks after initial infection.
The presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific lgM and/or lgG antibodies is a strong indication that the patient has been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and may suggest non-susceptibility in the future/functional immunity.
Immune Response Antibody Test
This test includes Vaccine Response. The Immune Response Antibody panel is a more in depth test that can help identify patients who have already mounted an immune response against SARS-CoV-2, and differentiate whether that response is likely due to vaccination* or natural infection. This test gives results in two ways.
- 1. Provides Qualitative N AB Results. This test measures the nucleocapsid antibody which is only present in those who have been exposed to and recovered from COVID-19.
- 2. Provides Spike Protein Quantitative Results. This test measures the body’s spike protein levels which indicates how successful vaccine inoculation was at providing protective antibodies.
