First-Ever Highly Sensitive Antibody Tests Could Detect Infection with All Known Human Coronaviruses, Including New SARS-CoV-2 Variants

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 19 Feb 2021
Scientists have set the stage for the development of highly sensitive antibody tests for infection with all known human coronaviruses, including new variants of SARS-CoV-2.

Scientists at the Center for Infection and Immunity (CII) at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health (New York, NY, USA) have developed the HCoV-Peptide consisting of three million immune markers on a glass chip and covering proteins of all known human coronaviruses, including the SARS-CoV-2. In collaboration with a team at the SunYat-Sen University (Guangzhou, China), the CII researchers have identified 29 immune signatures specific to SARS-CoV-2. These genetic fingerprints (peptides) provide the blueprint for tests that will be used for diagnostics and surveillance. Current antibody tests for SARS-CoV-2 infection may generate false-positive results because of cross-reactivity with seasonal coronaviruses responsible for the common cold, as well as MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-1.

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To develop the HCoV-Peptide array, the researchers first analyzed blood samples taken from individuals with asymptomatic, mild, or severe SARS-CoV-2 infections, and controls including healthy individuals and those exposed to SARS-CoV-1 and seasonal coronaviruses. An analysis of all approximately 170,000 peptides related to known human coronaviruses yielded 29 peptides with the strongest and most specific reactivity with SARS-CoV-2. Next, they validated their test using a second set of blood samples, including those from confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2, those with antibodies to other human coronaviruses, and healthy individuals. The new test has a 98% specificity and sensitivity. Immune signatures were present from eight days after onset of COVID-19 symptoms to as long as six to seven months after infection.

“This work will allow us and others to build inexpensive, easy-to-use blood tests that can provide data for exposure as well as immunity,” said author Nischay Mishra, PhD, assistant professor of epidemiology at the Columbia Mailman School.

Related Links:
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
SunYat-Sen University



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