RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Serology characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection since exposure and post symptom onset
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 2000763
DO 10.1183/13993003.00763-2020
A1 Lou, Bin
A1 Li, Ting-Dong
A1 Zheng, Shu-Fa
A1 Su, Ying-Ying
A1 Li, Zhi-Yong
A1 Liu, Wei
A1 Yu, Fei
A1 Ge, Sheng-Xiang
A1 Zou, Qian-Da
A1 Yuan, Quan
A1 Lin, Sha
A1 Hong, Cong-Ming
A1 Yao, Xiang-Yang
A1 Zhang, Xue-Jie
A1 Wu, Ding-Hui
A1 Zhou, Guo-Liang
A1 Hou, Wang-Heng
A1 Li, Ting-Ting
A1 Zhang, Ya-Li
A1 Zhang, Shi-Yin
A1 Fan, Jian
A1 Zhang, Jun
A1 Xia, Ning-Shao
A1 Chen, Yu
YR 2020
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2020/05/13/13993003.00763-2020.abstract
AB Background Timely diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is a prerequisite for treatment and prevention. The serology characteristics and complement diagnosis value of the antibody test to RNA test need to be demonstrated.Method Serial sera of 80 patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 were collected at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, China. Total antibody (Ab), IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were detected, and the antibody dynamics during the infection were described.Results The seroconversion rates for Ab, IgM and IgG were 98.8%, 93.8% and 93.8%, respectively. The first detectible serology marker was Ab, followed by IgM and IgG, with a median seroconversion time of 15, 18 and 20 days post exposure (d.p.e) or 9, 10 and 12 days post onset (d.p.o), respectively. The antibody levels increased rapidly beginning at 6 d.p.o. and were accompanied by a decline in viral load. For patients in the early stage of illness (0–7 d.p.o), Ab showed the highest sensitivity (64.1%) compared to IgM and IgG (33.3% for both, p<0.001). The sensitivities of Ab, IgM and IgG increased to 100%, 96.7% and 93.3% 2 weeks later, respectively. When the same antibody type was detected, no significant difference was observed between enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and other forms of immunoassays.Conclusions A typical acute antibody response is induced during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Serology testing provides an important complement to RNA testing in the later stages of illness for pathogenic specific diagnosis and helpful information to evaluate the adapted immunity status of patients.Antibody responses were induced after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the complementary diagnostic value of antibody test to RNA test was observed. Antibody tests are critical tools in clinical management and control of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19.