SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Testing in Suspected Patients with Negative Nucleic Acid Tests

摘要

When measured >14 days from symptom onset, antibodies were detected in clinically diagnosed, hospitalized patients who had negative nucleic acid amplification tests. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, also referred to as nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), are the mainstay of testing for SARS-CoV-2. But false-negative results occur, even in hospitalized patients. To evaluate the utility of serological testing for antibodies to the SARS CoV-2 spike protein as an adjunctive diagnostic tool, researchers conducted sero-logic tests in 115 hospitalized patients investigated for COVID-19. Based on the judgement of the clinical teams, 60 of these patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 and 55 were not.