SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Testing in Suspected Patients with Negative Nucleic Acid Tests

When measured ≥14 days from symptom onset, antibodies were detected in clinically diagnosed, hospitalized patients who had negative nucleic acid amplification tests.

Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, also referred to as nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), are the mainstay of testing for SARS-CoV-2. But false-negative results occur, even in hospitalized patients. To evaluate the utility of serological testing for antibodies to the SARS CoV-2 spike protein as an adjunctive diagnostic tool, researchers conducted serologic tests in 115 hospitalized patients investigated for COVID-19. Based on the judgement of the clinical teams, 60 of these patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 and 55 were not.

Results were as follows:

At ≥14 days after symptom onset, the sensitivity of IgG antibody testing was 0.976, and the specificity was 0.988; both parameters were much lower at earlier t…

Reviewing Author

Daniel Kaul, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNobelpharma; Pfizer

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Transplantation (Program Committee)

Daniel Kaul, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNobelpharma; Pfizer

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Transplantation (Program Committee)

SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Testing in Suspected Patients with Negative Nucleic Acid Tests

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Reviewing Author