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Let’s Talk About The Antibody Tests For Covid-19 — Serological Testing
Not all antibody tests are a readout of your capacity to fight off a potential second Covid-19 infection
As the president of the US escalates his high throughput testing of mindless, and downright harmful ideas and thoughts about how to combat the SARS-CoV-2 a.k.a. the Covid-19 virus, researchers and clinicians continue to strive to develop effective detection tools, treatments, and preventive measures.
Thankfully, occasionally the FDA takes a stand slightly apart from the President — for example, it recently cautioned against the use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for Covid-19 contrary to the President’s suggestions. The FDA has also approved a number of different tests, and granted EUAs (emergency use authorizations) for tests, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other ancillary materials needed to get us to the other side of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Looking for the Covid-19 genome
Detection of the virus in individuals who exhibit symptoms characteristic of a Covid-19 infection had been the primary focus for the first few weeks, until it was recognized that infections could also be asymptomatic, leading to unintended spread of the disease. Such testing relies on detecting the viral genome (genetic material) in an…
