Open AccessFirst report on qualitative detection of anti-COVID-19 antibody IgM and IgG in a short series of 98 subjects, healthcare workers and patients, by use an ELISA assay
Author(s) -
Annalisa Roveta,
Maurizio Cassinari,
Roberto Guaschino,
Tiziana Callegari,
Laura Mazzucco,
Valeria Balbo,
Andrea Rocchetti,
C. Frino,
Matteo Carrer,
Marinella Bertolotti,
Marta Betti,
Tatiana Bolgeo,
Antonio Maconi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
working paper of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2279-9761
DOI - 10.4081/wpph.2020.9230
Subject(s) - serology , medicine , covid-19 , antibody , immunoglobulin m , immunology , virology , immunoglobulin g , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Objective: The aim is to perform a preliminary testing about the presence of anti-COVID-19 IgM and IgG in a short series of healthcare workers and patients at SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo Hospital, in Alessandria. Methods: Healthcare workers voluntarily agreed to perform the analysis. For patients, serological test was performed at clinician’s discretion. Detection of anti-COVID-19 IgM and IgG was performed separately by use ELISA assay. In order to perform a comparison age, sex, onset symptoms, RT-PCR result were collected. Results: Serological findings showed that most people with positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing developed anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG 14 days after the date of rhinopharyngeal swab and that anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG detection was also observed in patients with negative RT-PCR. No anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM was found. Conclusions: Serological testing may be useful to confirm a previous contact with SARS-CoV-2, but it cannot be used in diagnostics. They need further evidence on its performance and operational utility. At the current state of technological evolution, SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies serological tests can be used to supplement the viral RNA detenction by use RT-PCR.