PBS News Hour writes about a new antibody tests that could help determined if people were positive for COVID-19. This antibody test can determine if someone previously had a SARS-CoV-2 infection based on a blood same. If COVID-19 antibodies are found in the blood, then it would help find out who is now immune to the disease. To determine if someone currently has COVID-19, scientists look for the virus’ RNA genome from a nasal swab; however, this test has nothing to do with antibodies. The serology test which looks to find SARS-CoV-2 antibodies could help more and more people return to work and help stimulate the economy without spreading COVID-19 to others and having at least some type of immunity. Additionally, doctors could be tested and ensure that they have immunity and will not get sick from it again or do not spread it to their patients.
ABC News discusses how antibodies from those previously infected with COVID-19 are now being used as treatment. Many hospitals and institutions are experimenting by using blood plasma (with antibodies) from those recovered into sick patients. Doctors and scientists hope this will help gravely sick patients survive this serious infection. To help move the antibody testing along, the FDA has allowed those making the tests to do so without FDA oversight as long as they have met conditions the FDA set in place. A titer describes the concentration of antibody molecules in a certain solution like plasma. When there are only IgM antibody titers present in plasma, it means that the person is in the early stages in the disease and is still infected as IgM is the first antibody made. When IgM and IgG are present it means that the person is still infected, but the body has made more effective antibodies to fight the infection. If only IgG antibodies are present, it means that the person was infected in the past as the body continues to make the IgG antibodies in case the same antigen is presented in the future, it will be eradicated faster. When we test for antibodies, those who are only positive for IgG no longer have the infection, and thus they have immunity and cannot spread the disease to others.
This new antibody testing is incredible. I think it will help a lot of the panic if doctors and other healthcare workers can be tested to see if they have immunity or not. Then they will no longer have to stress about infecting patients and their families. It must be incredibly hard to be a healthcare worker right now as they work endlessly and are worried about their loved ones. This test would allow more families to be reunited as healthcare workers find out if they are immune/have these antibodies present. I hope that more antibody tests will be made available to healthcare workers and others so there will be less worry about health and more economic stimulation as more people could go back to work without worrying about getting or spreading COVID-19.
Micro Madness 