Summary Early detection of infection is crucial to limit the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here we develop a flow cytometry-based assay to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) protein antibodies in individuals with COVID-19. The assay detects specific immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgA, and IgG in individuals with COVID-19 and also acquisition of all IgG subclasses, with IgG1 being the most dominant. The antibody response is significantly higher at a later stage of infection. Furthermore, asymptomatic individuals with COVID-19 also develop specific IgM, IgA, and IgG, with IgG1 being the most dominant subclass. Although the antibody levels are lower in asymptomatic infection, the assay is highly sensitive and detects 97% of asymptomatic infections. These findings demonstrate that the assay can be used for serological analysis of symptomatic and asymptomatic infections, which may otherwise remain undetected. Graphical Abstract Highlights Flow cytometry assay detects specific antibodies in symptomatic individuals with COVID-19 Asymptomatic individuals with COVID-19 also develop specific antibodies IgG1 is the dominant IgG subclass in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals The assay is highly sensitive and detects 97% of asymptomatic infections Using a flow cytometry-based assay, Goh et al. find specific antibodies in plasma samples from symptomatic individuals with COVID-19. IgG1 is the most dominant IgG subclass. Despite lower antibody levels, the assay detects 97% of asymptomatic infections, suggesting that the assay detects asymptomatic infections, which may otherwise remain undetected.
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