COVID-19 IgG/IgM antibody testing in Los Angeles County, California

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2021 Feb;40(2):457-459. doi: 10.1007/s10096-020-04111-3. Epub 2020 Nov 25.

Abstract

Evidence suggests that asymptomatic and mild SARS-CoV-2 infections comprise > 95% of all cases. Developing a test that indicates past infection and possible immunity against the virus is important. We administered 244 antibody tests to three groups of high-risk population. The test consisted of an IgG component and an IgM component. The overall IgM/IgG positivity for patients with none, mild, moderate, and severe symptoms were 21.1%, 21.8%, 14.2%, and 26.9%, respectively. Those with moderate or severe symptoms were no more or less likely to have positive antibody tests than those with no or mild symptoms.

Keywords: COVID-19; IgG; IgM; antibodies; coronavirus; testing.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis*
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M