Study: New immunoassay test detects antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in 10 minutes

Editor's Note

In this proof-of-concept study, a new lateral flow immunoassay developed by researchers from China can quickly detect antibodies against SARS-COV-2, which appear as a bright orange line when placed on a fluorescence reader.

The test, which is based on a technique similar to what is used in home pregnancy tests, could help physicians track a person’s exposure to the disease as well as confirm suspected COVID-19 cases that tested negative by other methods.

The researches tested the new immunoassay on seven serum samples from COVID-19 patients, and 12 samples from people who tested negative. The new assay correctly diagnosed all seven samples as positive as well as an additional negative case that had suspicious clinical symptoms, in 10 minutes.

The test could be helpful in confirming negative diagnoses, monitoring a patient’s recovery, studying past exposures, and identifying recovered patients with high levels of antibodies who could be convalescent plasma donors, the researchers say.