SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and most regions are still struggling with fundamental testing issues. This lack of rapid point of care testing is gruelling given COVID-19’s dramatic rate of transmission. Without an effective track and trace system based on diagnostics, screening, and surveillance testing, it will prove difficult to avoid future spikes in infection which will lead to increased hospital transmissions and ultimately fatalities.

Antigens for COVID-19 diagnostics are a potential avenue for rapid tests used at the point of care and in general screening.

Three-Tiered Approach to COVID-19 Testing

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identify three tiers of testing: diagnostic, screening, and surveillance. Diagnostic testing occurs at the point of care, where a patient has symptoms that are consistent with SARS-CoV-2 or has become exposed to the virus. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is typically used in this instance to detect the presence of viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) using a nasal or throat swab. The same basic principles apply to screening and surveillance testing, except those are used to test asymptomatic individuals in congregate settings and at the population level respectively.

Antigens for Covid-19 Diagnostics: Faster Testing

Serological testing kits are incredibly reliable and easy to use, enabling rapid detection of infectious diseases by measuring the presence of antibodies in blood. A serology test essentially detects the body’s immunological response to infection. This can be incredibly valuable to healthcare professionals screening for individuals with an adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2.

One of the foremost solutions in this area has achieved accelerated emergency use authorization (EUA) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Babson Diagnostics aC19G1 test is an indirect sandwich chemiluminescent immunoassay designed for qualitative detection of immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in blood. As these IgG antibodies are typically detectable for several days after initial infection, the antibody test shows significant promise as a rapid testing kit at all three points in the multi-tiered approach to COVID-19 screening.

ACROBiosystems Antigens for Covid-19 Diagnostics

The Babson Diagnostics test is based on antigens for COVID-19 diagnostics developed by ACROBiosystems. We have designed nucleocapsid and spike antigens for COVID-19 diagnostic kits, hoping to assist with novel antibody tests that can accelerate the acquisition of either positive or negative results. Our antigens are fully customizable and are available to order in bulk. If you are interested, why not order a free sample of antigens for COVID-19 diagnostics? Or, Contact us today if you would like to learn more.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/resources/antigen-tests-guidelines.html

https://www.fda.gov/media/139446/download