Tensions are high as the race to finding new information concerning the coronavirus continues throughout the world. Scientists and researchers have been constantly working in order to find anything, big and small, that could change the course of this pandemic. There are many tests that are in development that can test for the presence of the genetic material of this pathogen. However, some tests have taken advantage of the level of antibodies present in the blood during or after an immune response in order to detect if there is or was a viral infection in a patient. This could be the next big step in combating this disease.
As we learned in class, the immune system is one of the most vital systems of the body. When an individual has only IgM antibody titers, that means that that person is currently infected or was recently infected because these antibodies usually show up a few days following infection. In addition, when someone has both IgM and IgG antibody titers, this means that that person currently has the infection and is able to spread it to other people, while the immune system is trying to fight it off. When an individual primarily has only IgG antibody titers, it means that he or she has had the infection before and/or is immune to it and has recovered from it. Moreover, if we could determine who was IgG positive, we could detect who has recovered from the disease and made antibodies to fight off the pathogen upon subsequent exposure. They should not be able to infect others. Their antibodies can even be helpful to others who currently have or have yet to be infected.
According to an article from Live Science news website, scientists are currently looking into tests that highlight what types of antibodies are present in the blood, as well as how much of each is present. At the beginning of April, Cellex Biotechnology Company received the green light from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Their authorization of the serological test from Cellex would give people the opportunity to see whether or not they have had the infection and are in the recovery stage. Essentially, droplets of one’s blood will be placed on a strip within a device and will be examined in a lab. This test mainly detects IgG and IgM antibodies. Initially, IgM antibodies will show up early on in the infection. IgG antibodies are more abundant following the wave of IgM because they take a longer period of time to be made. An individual who has recovered from the infection or is dealing with the infection at the moment of the test will show IgG antibodies in his or her blood. As far as we know, the test is supposed to provide individuals with information as little as 15 minutes after taking the test. Due to its ability to produce an informative view of an individual’s immune system, antibody testing is extremely crucial to have in today’s day and age.
When coronavirus testing comes to mind, I think of only the types of tests that identify whether or not an individual is infected at the moment that they take the test. However, I now understand that it is just as important to have the ability to determine whether individuals had once been infected with the coronavirus. This is of utmost importance because some people have asymptomatic or mild symptoms, so they may have not been truly identified before as someone who has been infected with the coronavirus. Learning extensively about the importance of antibodies in the immune system has allowed me to understand that antibodies can have so many uses to them. It makes me wonder if there are any other potential tests that could be helpful in this matter besides diagnostic tests and antibody tests.
According to an article from Stanford Medicine News Center, researchers have been working non-stop in order to make a test that has the ability to report what antibodies are present in an individuals’ blood. To measure antibodies in the blood, enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) plates are used. This type of testing is known as serological testing because it analyzes the content in the serum of the blood. This particular test has the ability to recognize IgG antibodies and IgM antibodies. During the immune response, IgM antibodies are known to show up before IgG antibodies do. It is important to note that their numbers decrease rapidly after appearing early on. Concerning IgG antibodies, they take more time to appear in the immune response and their numbers tend to linger for a longer period of time. Overall, this means that the test can provide a positive or negative result for IgM antibodies or IgG antibodies. While other researchers throughout the world are also trying to make tests that detect antibodies in the blood, it has been reported that it is unknown whether they are really effective or not. That is why there are so many people working on creating just serological tests! What is unique about the serological test is that it can identify individuals who have contracted the infection but are only showing mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. It can be of use when determining the effectiveness of the antibodies and its immune response in someone who has already been infected as well.
The rate at which tests and and trials are developing has blown my mind. While I wish the United States would have started earlier on developing tests for the coronavirus, I am still astonished by the work that researchers and scientists not only in the United States, but also throughout the world have accomplished in such a short span of time. Prior to studying microbiology, I did not know that it was possible to detect antibodies in the blood and even gauge the span of time that the antibodies of an infected individual can give them immunity for. It is quite astonishing to me that antibodies from a once infected individual may serve as a potential treatment for someone who has a mild infection. The process in order to develop and get a vaccine approved could take many months, and even last at least a year. In the meantime, these serological tests serve as vital ways of testing while we wait on a vaccine to be approved.
While there have been many advancements in our efforts to devise tests for the public, there is still much to do. Besides social distancing and keeping a good personal hygiene, we must stay positive and find ways to be accurately informed! There is a lot of news out there and now is not the time to be misinformed. While we may feel helpless against this virus, we need to act safely and rationally, not only for ourselves, but also for the healthcare professionals in the community risking their lives every single day so that people can get better. Stay safe and healthy everyone! ❤
Melanie Nguyen's Microbiology Blog 