Background The usability of laboratory tests related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is critically important for the world undergoing the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aimed to assess the diagnostic usability of rapid tests for the detection of antibody against SARS-CoV-2 through comparison of their results with the results of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA and with the results of a quantitative test for antibody detection. Methods Serum samples were collected from 18 patients undergoing RT-PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2. Twelve patients were RT-PCR positive while six were negative. A quantitative test based on chemiluminescent immunoassay and three rapid tests based on immunochromatography were performed to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM. Results All the antibody tests exhibited poor sensitivity at the timing of initial RT-PCR diagnosis. IgG responses occurring prior to or simultaneously with IgM responses were observed through not only the quantitative test but also the three rapid tests. Based on concordance with the quantitative test results, the large variance among the three rapid tests was revealed. Conclusions All antibody tests were unsatisfactory to replace RT-PCR for the early diagnosis of COVID-19. Rapid antibody tests as well as a quantitative antibody test were useful in the assessment of immune responses in COVID-19. The obvious variance among the three rapid tests suggested limited accuracy and difficult standardization. Diagnostic usability of rapid antibody tests for COVID-19 should be investigated rigorously.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, rapid antibody test, IgG, IgM, 【초록키워드】 immunochromatography, coronavirus, immune response, antibody, COVID-19 pandemic, diagnostic, RT-PCR, early diagnosis, sensitivity, Antibody detection, Concordance, Rapid test, Accuracy, anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG, Patient, Rapid, reverse transcription, Antibody test, chemiluminescent immunoassay, quantitative test, genomic RNA, Standardization, Laboratory test, IgG response, acute respiratory syndrome, quantitative antibody test, RT-PCR testing, positive, IgM response, RT-PCR diagnosis, serum sample, polymerase chain, initial, Result, performed, detect, collected, investigated, exhibited, suggested, the timing, 【제목키워드】 diagnostic,