Lesson F: One-Health (COVID-19 Tests)

Rapid Serology Antibody Test

• SAMPLE INPUT: Serum or Plasma sample (whole blood or finger prick also possible)

• RESULT OUTPUT: Detection of IgM/IgG Antibodies via color change of strip in lateral flow assay

• STRENGTHS: Very low relative cost, can be conducted at point-of-care or at home, ease-of-use, fast results (5-15 mins, highly accurate detection of IgM/IgG several days after onset)

• LIMITATIONS: Requires rigorous testing of cross-reactivity with other immune responses, variation of test specificity & sensitivity among manufacturers

ELISA

• SAMPLE INPUT: Serum or Plasma sample

• RESULT OUTPUT: Detection of IgM/IgG or RBD IgG antibodies, via colorimetric assay

• STRENGTHS: Robust detection of seroconversion status in a laboratory setting, can detect IgM/IgG accuratetly after several days of onset or sooner

• LIMITATIONS: Requires rigorous testing of cross-reactivity with other immune response, requires laboratory testing

Diagnostic RT-PCR Swab Test

• SAMPLE INPUT: Nasopharyngeal (NP) or Oropharyngeal (OP) Swab sample

• RESULT OUTPUT: Detects of viral SARS-CoV-2 RNA via cDNA sequencing

• STRENGTHS: Gold-standard diagnostic test, directly detects virus presence (sequencing viral nucleic acids), most accurate results early in disease presentation

• LIMITATIONS: Labor intensive, requires numerous additional reagents and specialized equipments can lose accuracy after ~5 days since symptom onset, sensitive to sample collection error

FILLER

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