Abnova Setup Serum IgM/IgG ELISA Test for COVID-19 Coronavirus

Neihu, Taiwan (March 6, 2020)

Abnova announced today it has setup serum IgM/IgG ELISA rapid test for COVID-19 coronavirus for disease screening and prevention. The current COVID-19 testing requires the use of RT-PCR to identify genes in the viral genome as an evidence of infection. However, the total RT-PCR positive rate for oropharyngeal samples is only between 30-60%. In contrast, serum IgM/IgG antibody immune response is excellent indicator of recent exposure and infection from COVID-19 coronavirus. Abnova’s serum IgM/IgG ELISA test can be used to screen and confirm infected individuals, not only to control further spread of transmission but also provide an evidence of antibody reactivity demonstrating protection and preventing re-infection.

During a typical infection process, an individual’s innate immune response mounts an protective antibody response to COVID-19 coronavirus. The first antibody that develops is a IgM antibody which occurs within 2 weeks after viral exposure. Within 4 weeks, a second antibody IgG develops which is stronger and more protective than the initial IgM antibody. The action of these protective antibodies leads to clearance and eradication of virus from our body and disease recovery. The IgG antibody also prevents re-infection because the antibody titer responds and increases rapidly because of previous immunological memory.

Abnova’s serum IgM/IgG ELISA test can complement the current RT-PCR test, especially for patients who have tested negative on RT-PCR before performing the arduous CT scan. It also provides the assay validation needed to develop a lateral flow, strip-based rapid test which can be used directly in the point-of-care (POC) setting. For better control of the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus infection, it is important to clearly identify and segregate individuals who are infected with the COVID-19 virus versus the healthy individuals or individuals infected with influenza virus. This is followed by quarantine measures to decrease transmission without handicapping the medical infrastructure and resources.