Rapid Blood Test Could Confirm COVID-19 Vaccination in Minutes
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 07 Jun 2021 |
|
Image: An image taken from a YouTube video shows results of a rapid blood test developed by Johns Hopkins researchers that can confirm in minutes if a person has been vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 (Photo courtesy of Robert Kruse)
Researchers have developed a rapid blood test that can confirm in minutes if a person has been vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
The rapid blood test developed by scientists at the Johns Hopkins University (JHU; Baltimore, MD, USA) could confirm a person has been vaccinated while they wait to board a plane or enter a sporting event. Their COVID-19 antibody test is similar to one used at home to determine blood type, where the user pricks a finger and places a drop of blood on a card. A fusion protein developed by the research team is housed on the card and detects COVID-19 antibodies, tiny proteins in the blood the immune system produces to “remember” viral encounters and provide immunity to future infections. Results come back in less than five minutes, faster than current lateral flow tests to detect antibodies at point of care, while also potentially providing a clearer result. Immunocompromised patients, who studies have shown don’t always respond to the COVID-19 vaccine, could test their antibody level and see if the vaccine is working for them, according to the researchers.
The test uses hemagglutination, in which the degree of clumping together of red blood cells reveals the concentration of antibodies. The hemagglutination results could let people know if they still have protection months after they received the vaccine or if they need a booster shot. The degree of hemagglutination also correlated with levels of neutralizing antibodies in patients, which protect against viral infection. In a study on 400 blood samples, half of which were from prior COVID-19 patients, the test correctly identified antibodies in previously infected patients 87.5% of the time, a slightly higher rate than ELISA tests performed in hospitals that require hours to perform. The test could be used to confirm a person’s vaccination instead of having to show a vaccine card, according to Robert Kruse, M.D., Ph.D., who created the blood test.
“If a business is using the honor system for vaccinations, now they could test people on-site,” said Kruse.
Related Links:
Johns Hopkins University
The rapid blood test developed by scientists at the Johns Hopkins University (JHU; Baltimore, MD, USA) could confirm a person has been vaccinated while they wait to board a plane or enter a sporting event. Their COVID-19 antibody test is similar to one used at home to determine blood type, where the user pricks a finger and places a drop of blood on a card. A fusion protein developed by the research team is housed on the card and detects COVID-19 antibodies, tiny proteins in the blood the immune system produces to “remember” viral encounters and provide immunity to future infections. Results come back in less than five minutes, faster than current lateral flow tests to detect antibodies at point of care, while also potentially providing a clearer result. Immunocompromised patients, who studies have shown don’t always respond to the COVID-19 vaccine, could test their antibody level and see if the vaccine is working for them, according to the researchers.
The test uses hemagglutination, in which the degree of clumping together of red blood cells reveals the concentration of antibodies. The hemagglutination results could let people know if they still have protection months after they received the vaccine or if they need a booster shot. The degree of hemagglutination also correlated with levels of neutralizing antibodies in patients, which protect against viral infection. In a study on 400 blood samples, half of which were from prior COVID-19 patients, the test correctly identified antibodies in previously infected patients 87.5% of the time, a slightly higher rate than ELISA tests performed in hospitals that require hours to perform. The test could be used to confirm a person’s vaccination instead of having to show a vaccine card, according to Robert Kruse, M.D., Ph.D., who created the blood test.
“If a business is using the honor system for vaccinations, now they could test people on-site,” said Kruse.
Related Links:
Johns Hopkins University
Gold Member
SARS-CoV-2 Reactive & Non-Reactive Controls
Qnostics SARS-CoV-2 Typing
Alcohol Testing Device
Dräger Alcotest 7000
Capillary Blood Collection Tube
IMPROMINI M3
Latest COVID-19 News
- New Immunosensor Paves Way to Rapid POC Testing for COVID-19 and Emerging Infectious Diseases
- Long COVID Etiologies Found in Acute Infection Blood Samples
- Novel Device Detects COVID-19 Antibodies in Five Minutes
- CRISPR-Powered COVID-19 Test Detects SARS-CoV-2 in 30 Minutes Using Gene Scissors
- Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis Linked to COVID-19
- Novel SARS CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test Validated for Diagnostic Accuracy
- New COVID + Flu + R.S.V. Test to Help Prepare for `Tripledemic`
- AI Takes Guesswork Out Of Lateral Flow Testing
- Fastest Ever SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test Designed for Non-Invasive COVID-19 Testing in Any Setting
- Rapid Antigen Tests Detect Omicron, Delta SARS-CoV-2 Variants
- Health Care Professionals Showed Increased Interest in POC Technologies During Pandemic, Finds Study
- Set Up Reserve Lab Capacity Now for Faster Response to Next Pandemic, Say Researchers
- Blood Test Performed During Initial Infection Predicts Long COVID Risk
- Low-Cost COVID-19 Testing Platform Combines Sensitivity of PCR and Speed of Antigen Tests
- Finger-Prick Blood Test Identifies Immunity to COVID-19
- Quick Test Kit Determines Immunity Against COVID-19 and Its Variants
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Blood Test Could Predict and Identify Early Relapses in Myeloma Patients
Multiple myeloma is an incurable cancer of the bone marrow, and while many patients now live for more than a decade after diagnosis, a significant proportion relapse much earlier with poor outcomes.... Read more
Compact Raman Imaging System Detects Subtle Tumor Signals
Accurate cancer diagnosis often depends on labor-intensive tissue staining and expert pathological review, which can delay results and limit access to rapid screening. These conventional methods also make... Read more
Molecular Diagnostics
view channel
CRISPR Discovery Paves Way for Single Diagnostic Test for COVID, Flu and RSV
Immune systems across all forms of life defend against viruses by blocking their ability to replicate. Many CRISPR-based defenses achieve this by cutting viral DNA, but these approaches can damage host... Read more
Blood-Based Colorectal Cancer Test Demonstrates High Sensitivity
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, largely because many cases are detected at a late stage. While screening can reduce mortality, existing methods are invasive,... Read more
Genetic Testing Identifies CHIP Patients at Increased Heart Disease Risk After Cancer Treatment
Genetic testing in cancer care often reveals unexpected findings that are not directly related to the tumor itself. One such finding is clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential, a condition caused... Read more
Hematology
view channel
MRD Tests Could Predict Survival in Leukemia Patients
Acute myeloid leukemia is an aggressive blood cancer that disrupts normal blood cell production and often relapses even after intensive treatment. Clinicians currently lack early, reliable markers to predict... Read more
Platelet Activity Blood Test in Middle Age Could Identify Early Alzheimer’s Risk
Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease remains one of the biggest unmet needs in neurology, particularly because the biological changes underlying the disorder begin decades before memory symptoms appear.... Read more
Microvesicles Measurement Could Detect Vascular Injury in Sickle Cell Disease Patients
Assessing disease severity in sickle cell disease (SCD) remains challenging, especially when trying to predict hemolysis, vascular injury, and risk of complications such as vaso-occlusive crises.... Read more
ADLM’s New Coagulation Testing Guidance to Improve Care for Patients on Blood Thinners
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are one of the most common types of blood thinners. Patients take them to prevent a host of complications that could arise from blood clotting, including stroke, deep... Read moreImmunology
view channel
Ultrasensitive Liquid Biopsy Demonstrates Efficacy in Predicting Immunotherapy Response
Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment, but only a small proportion of patients experience lasting benefit, with response rates often remaining between 10% and 20%. Clinicians currently lack reliable... Read more
Blood Test Could Identify Colon Cancer Patients to Benefit from NSAIDs
Colon cancer remains a major cause of cancer-related illness, with many patients facing relapse even after surgery and chemotherapy. Up to 40% of people with stage III disease experience recurrence, highlighting... Read more
Microbiology
view channel
New Test Measures How Effectively Antibiotics Kill Bacteria
Antibiotics are typically evaluated by how well they inhibit bacterial growth in laboratory tests, but growth inhibition does not always mean the bacteria are actually killed. Some pathogens can survive... Read more
New Antimicrobial Stewardship Standards for TB Care to Optimize Diagnostics
Antibiotic resistance is rising worldwide, threatening the effectiveness of treatments for major infectious diseases, including tuberculosis (TB). Resistance to key TB drugs, such as bedaquiline, is of... Read more
Pathology
view channel
AI-Powered Label-Free Optical Imaging Accurately Identifies Thyroid Cancer During Surgery
Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer, and its rising detection rates have increased the number of patients undergoing surgery. During tumor removal, surgeons often face uncertainty in distinguishing... Read more
Deep Learning–Based Method Improves Cancer Diagnosis
Identifying vascular invasion is critical for determining how aggressive a cancer is, yet doing so reliably can be difficult using standard pathology workflows. Conventional methods require multiple chemical... Read more
ADLM Updates Expert Guidance on Urine Drug Testing for Patients in Emergency Departments
Urine drug testing plays a critical role in the emergency department, particularly for patients presenting with suspected overdose or altered mental status. Accurate and timely results can directly influence... Read more
Technology
view channel
AI-Generated Sensors Open New Paths for Early Cancer Detection
Cancers are far easier to treat when detected early, yet many tumors remain invisible until they are advanced or have recurred after surgery. Early-stage disease often produces signals that are too weak... Read more
Pioneering Blood Test Detects Lung Cancer Using Infrared Imaging
Detecting cancer early and tracking how it responds to treatment remains a major challenge, particularly when cancer cells are present in extremely low numbers in the bloodstream. Circulating tumor cells... Read more
Industry
view channel
WHX Labs Dubai to Gather Global Experts in Antimicrobial Resistance at Inaugural AMR Leaders’ Summit
World Health Expo (WHX) Labs in Dubai (formerly Medlab Middle East), which will be held at Dubai World Trade Centre from 10-13 February, will address the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance... Read more
