Joaquim Chaves Saúde | Serological Testing | Immunity | Antibodies | SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)

What are serological tests for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)?

These are laboratory tests that detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) antibodies, in other words, they indicate if there has been contact with the Coronavirus.

What type of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies can be detected and when?

Most of the scientific studies recently published indicate that the IgM class of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies can be detected 7 days after the onset of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 and the IgG class of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies can be detected 14 to 15 days after the appearance of symptoms.

Another class of antibodies like IgA anti-SARS-CoV-2, which are generally mucus-related, may be detected shortly after appearance of the IgM class of antibodies, or even at the same time.

Does Joaquim Chaves Saúde provide serological testing for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)?

Yes, Joaquim Chaves Saúde performs serological tests for its users to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

The test involves detecting antibodies of the following classes: IgG, IgM and IgA. The tests provided, one for each type of antibody, are performed using an enzyme immunoassay method, commonly named ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay).

What medical in vitro diagnostic devices (reagent test kits) are used at Joaquim Chaves Saúde?

The medical devices used have CE marking, in other words, they are in compliance with the REGULATION (EU) 2017/746 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 5 April 2017, for in vitro diagnostic medical devices.

The purpose of this regulation is “to ensure the smooth functioning of the internal market as regards medical devices, and guarantee a high level of quality and safety.”

Have the reagents used by Joaquim Chaves Saúde been used in clinical trials published in scientific articles?

Yes! Because Joaquim Chaves Saúde aims to provide our users with technological and scientific solutions that we believe are the most suitable at a given time, the reagent test kits in question to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, were used in a clinical trial that was published in a scientific magazine to identify recovered patients (plasma donors) with IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Prof.Rui Pinto | Medical Biology Specialist - Immunology

Article quoted: J Korean Med Sci. 2020 Apr 13;35(14):e149;https://jkms.org/DOIx.php?.3346/jkms.2020.35.e149