Diagnosis of COVID-19 using multiple antibody assays in two cases with negative PCR results from nasopharyngeal swabs

Infection. 2021 Feb;49(1):171-175. doi: 10.1007/s15010-020-01497-2. Epub 2020 Aug 12.

Abstract

We report of two cases of progressed COVID-19 with negative PCR tests from nasopharyngeal swabs, in whom diagnosis was made by different antibody assays, including a lateral flow rapid test and multiple commercial ELISAs, finally confirmed by comprehensive serological assays. These cases highlight that commercial ELISAs and even rapid tests might significantly aid the diagnosis of COVID-19, particularly, if a combination of serological assays is used with a specific clinical question, in severely ill patients after seroconversion and when comprehensive serological methods are used for confirmation.

Keywords: Antibodies; Coronavirus; Immunoassay; PCR negative; Rapid test; SARS.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis*
  • COVID-19 / immunology
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasopharynx / virology
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • SARS-CoV-2 / genetics
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral