CORONA / COVID-19 Antibody Test

Why test for CORONA / COVID-19 Antibody Test

We are happy to inform you that VIP Lab is now approved to perform CORONA / COVID-19 Antibody tests (SARS-CoV-2 IgG) which is useful in epidemiological surveillance, as per the guidelines and approvals of ICMR.

This test is not a diagnostic test but it can give knowledge of your past exposure to this invisible enemy by showing antibodies if any in your blood. 

The Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG test is intended for use as an aid in identifying individuals with an adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2, indicating recent past or prior infection. THIS TEST IS ONLY FOR SERO-SURVEILLANCE AND SHOULD NOT BE USED TO DIAGNOSE ACUTE SARS-COV-2 INFECTION. SARS CoV 2 is an enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus of the family Coronaviridae, genus Betacoronaviruses. They cause disease with symptoms ranging from those of a mild common cold to more severe ones such as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID 19). Other coronaviruses known to infect humans include 229E, NL63, OC43 and HKU1. The latter are ubiquitous and infection typically causes common cold or flu-like symptoms.

Limitations of the test:
- Heterophilic antibodies in serum samples may cause interference in immunoassays.
- A non-reactive result can occur if the quantity of antibodies for the SARS-CoV-2 virus present in the specimen is below the detection limit of the assay, or the virus has undergone minor amino acid mutation(s) in the epitope recognized by the antibody detected by the test.
- False positive results for Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG test may occur due to cross-reactivity from pre-existing antibodies or other possible causes.
- A nonreactive test result does not exclude the possibility of exposure to or infection with SARS-CoV-2. Patient specimens may be nonreactive if collected during the early (preseroconversion) phase of illness or due to a decline in titer over time. In addition, the immune response may be depressed in elderly, immunocompromised, or immunosuppressed patients.

Note:
1. The results obtained with this test should only be interpreted in conjunction with clinical findings, and the results from other laboratory tests and evaluations. Results that are inconsistent with clinical observations indicate the need for additional testing.
2. IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 are generally detectable in blood several weeks after initial infection. At this time, it is unknown for how long IgG antibodies may persist following infection, or if the presence of antibodies confers protective immunity. Individuals may have detectable virus present for several weeks following seroconversion.
3. The individual immune response following SARS CoV 2 infection varies considerably and might give different results with assays from different manufacturers. Results of assays from different manufacturers should not be used interchangeably
4. Laboratory may be required to report all positive results in accordance with public health authority requirements and guidelines, as issued from time to time.