Antibodies Testing
COVID-19
Using a small blood sample, the Drop™ COVID-19 antibody test is useful for the detection of individuals who may have developed IgG/IgM antibodies and presumed exposed and recovering from an infection due to SARS-CoV-2 virus.
An immune response can be detected approximately 3 to 5 days after infection in individuals.
It is unclear how long IgG antibodies are detectable but at this time studies suggest it’s only months after an individual becomes infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Today, we cannot yet draw the conclusion that long-term immunity against COVID-19 exists with the presence and later absence of IgG antibodies.
The good news is to date most people who have been infected once have not experienced a reoccurence. Perhaps immunity memory still exist in the absence of detectable antibodies.
Once the collection device with a dried blood sample arrives at the CoreMedica Lab, the dried blood sample is reconstituted by adding a buffered solution. The sample is then processed and results are generally available within 48 hours. The patient will be notified to review the report on a secure HIPPA compliant portal.
Our immunometric assay testing for antibodies for COVID-19 is laboratory-based, and can be collected in the safety and privacy of your home with a self-administered testing kit. This Roche diagnostics platform has a specificity greater than 99.8% and 100% sensitivity (14 days post-PCR confirmation), which means a false positive or false negative is now highly unlikely.
Simply stated, It’s Accurate and Reliable.
Our secondary test for IgG and IgM antibodies is completed using the ELISA method using the Epitope plate. If you test antibodies positive for IgG, you likely have some immunity against the COVID-19 virus strain that you’ve been infected by in the past. Only time will tell how durable your immunity will become. This ELISA testing method is a laboratory standard, but has constraints given the ELISA antibodies-antigen plates are still relatively new to the marketplace.
What makes all of our antibodies test distinctive is that you can perform it yourself at home, without the need to go to a laboratory, where the technician wears PPE and does a blood draw and sends one tube of your blood for processing.
Compared to a traditional blood draw sample, our Antibodies test for COVID-19 is collected in a dried blood format. This technique has been validated to be equal in sensitivity and specificity to a standard blood draw.
Having antibodies develop against COVID-19 means:
You’ve been infected in the recent past.
It may also mean:
You’ve
recovered
You’re no longer
infectious
You’re
immune
While we know a great deal about other viruses, COVID-19 is new to the world. Established science assumes the above statements are true. Time will ultimately confirm these claims.
Peace of Mind
Between 5% to 80% of those who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 may be asymptomatic. [reference #1]. Of the 10% of Canadians who were tested, about 20,000 were positive. (8/4/2020). Many more are assumed infected. Know if you’ve been infected by COVID-19 and have developed antibodies or not.
Return to Work Safely
For key workers, confirming that certain team members has been infected and, therefore are more likely to be immune could be a way of getting people back into the workforce more quickly and safely. This knowledge is critical to supporting an organization’s risk management strategy and wellbeing in the workplace.
Exemption from Restrictions
Knowing if you are immune may allow authorities to issue ‘passes’ to exclude ‘antibodies positive’ individuals from highly restrictive measures currently in place, especially if there are more future waves of COVID-19 infections in our communities.
Better Prioritization of Vaccine
Should a vaccine against COVID-19 become available in the next year, you might be able to free up a dose of the vaccine for those who need it the most, first. Some natural ‘immunity’ could mean you may not need to be at the front of the line for the first wave of critical immunizations.
If You Test Positive
We need to follow up with your potential post-COVID-19 complications:
• Lung damage (ARDS, pulmonary fibrosis)
• Liver damage
• Heart damage (arrhythmia)
• Clotting disorders (DVTs)
• Kidney failure
Therefore, we need to actively screen you for the above even if you have apparently ‘recovered’ from the acute symptoms and continue active monitoring of your overall health with blood and diagnostic imaging testing.
If You Test Negative
We need to ensure you do not contract the virus, given the known complications post infection.
You also remain at higher risk if you:
• are male
• are obese
• have high blood pressure
• have diabetes
Should you have an active chronic condition, your health team will need to work with you to lower all your risk factors immediately.
Your kit will contain all the necessary supplies for self-collection in the comfort of your own home. The test only requires you to fill 3 circles with 2 drops of blood in each circle. You will collect your blood sample using the paper blot included in your kit.
Key Benefits:
• Easy self-collection of your blood sample
• Reduces risk of exposure to yourself and others, using the privacy of your own home
• Eliminates the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as there is no need for a lab tech
• Results received within 48-72 hours upon arrival to lab via a secure HIPPA compliant portal
• Professional analysis by CoreMedica, USA a CLIA licensed and CAP Accredited Laboratory
If You Test Positive
• A single positive result from either antibody, or both (IgG plus IgM), indicates you have likely been exposed to a coronavirus, even in the absence of symptoms from the infection.
• Only a REPEAT POSTIVE test for IgG, over a longer period of time indicates likely immunity.
If You Test Negative
A negative result means that you have likely not been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
TNP Results
A single TNP result means that your sample could not be processed because the sample had insufficient serum. TNP stands for Test Not Performed. Depending if your TNP was for IgG or IgM, plus your present symptoms, will determine if we should recollect your sample. We will be in contact with you.
.
Positive IgG and Negative IgM
You have likely been exposed to COVID-19 virus for at least 21 days, if not longer. You are no longer infectious, but could be re-infected in the future.
How you react to this new infection will be determined by:
• Amount of IgG antibodies you have developed
• Strain of IgG antibodies you possess
Your IgG antibodies have been developed for one COVID-19 strain that you were exposed to. If you become exposed to a newer strain, that is not genetically close enough to the old strain, your antibodies will be less effective against this newer strain. Though, practically, you are far better off having some antibodies and hence some form of immunity than none.
Hence, stay vigilant and continue to practice excellent precautions.
If you continue to have concerns or questions, contact us at: dr.chin@executivehealthcentre.com
Negative IgG and Positive IgM
You have likely been exposed to COVID-19 virus in the past 7-14 days. You are likely infectious and should self-quarantine and wait for further directions.
Contact your health care practitioner.
Positive IgG and Positive IgM
You have likely been exposed to COVID-19 virus in the past 7-21 days. You are likely infectious and beginning to recover from the infection. You should self-quarantine and wait for further directions.
Contact your health care practitioner.