COVID-19

Corona Test Kits

Lab-based testing supplies run low as the Covid-19 pandemic grows- patients can use simple test kits as an alternative. The test detects viral-specific antibodies: IgM and IgG. The test shows whether the patient is positive for IgM, IgG, or both. Having only IgM antibody titers indicates the infection is recent and active; IgM is part of the primary response. The presence of both IgM and IgG titers means that the patient is likely to be in the middle of the infection. The last stage of the infection is shown by the primary presence of an IgG antibody titer – people in this stage are not infectious. If a patient can be primarily IgG positive, there is a possibility of long-term immunity to Covid-19.

Problems with this Test

Problems with this test is the pace of the human antibody response to Covid-19. Due to the slow response, antibodies for this virus may not be detectable until 3 days after the onset of symptoms. This makes it difficult to detect the virus during the asymptomatic stages; 20-80% of Covid-19 cases are asymptomatic. There is no perfect method to control the spread of corona large-scale testing can help identify carriers and isolating them. Of course, overall social distancing helps too.

Neutralizing Antibodies

Other than prevention, scientists are working on a treatment for corona patients. Wu and his colleagues observed a group of people in Shanghai who recovered from Covid-19. Out of the 175 individuals studied, 165 of them produced “neutralizing antibodies”. These antibodies “neutralized” the infectivity of the virus. These antibodies are usually produced 10-14 days after illness. The plasma of people with these neutralizing antibodies can be used to create a serum to help other patients. Hopefully, a way to prevent transmission of the virus will be developed soon too.