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Simple, sensitive, specific self-sampling assay secures SARS-CoV-2 antibody signals in sero-prevalence and post-vaccine studies.

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posted on 2022-02-09, 10:33 authored by Maryam Khan, Carolina Rosadas, Ksenia Katsanovskaja, Isaac D Weber, Justin Shute, Samreen Ijaz, Federica Marchesin, Eleanor McClure, Salem Elias, Barnaby Flower, He Gao, Rachael Quinlan, Charlotte Short, Annachiara Rosa, Chloe Roustan, Maya Moshe, Graham P Taylor, Paul Elliott, Graham S Cooke, Peter Cherepanov, Eleanor Parker, Myra O McClure, Richard S Tedder
At-home sampling is key to large scale seroprevalence studies. Dried blood spot (DBS) self-sampling removes the need for medical personnel for specimen collection but facilitates specimen referral to an appropriately accredited laboratory for accurate sample analysis. To establish a highly sensitive and specific antibody assay that would facilitate self-sampling for prevalence and vaccine-response studies. Paired sera and DBS eluates collected from 439 sero-positive, 382 sero-negative individuals and DBS from 34 vaccine recipients were assayed by capture ELISAs for IgG and IgM antibody to SARS-CoV-2. IgG and IgM combined on DBS eluates achieved a diagnostic sensitivity of 97.9% (95%CI 96.6 to 99.3) and a specificity of 99.2% (95% CI 98.4 to 100) compared to serum, displaying limits of detection equivalent to 23 and 10 WHO IU/ml, respectively. A strong correlation (r = 0.81) was observed between serum and DBS reactivities. Reactivity remained stable with samples deliberately rendered inadequate, (p = 0.234) and when samples were accidentally damaged or 'invalid'. All vaccine recipients were sero-positive. This assay provides a secure method for self-sampling by DBS with a sensitivity comparable to serum. The feasibility of DBS testing in sero-prevalence studies and in monitoring post-vaccine responses was confirmed, offering a robust and reliable tool for serological monitoring at a population level.

Funding

Crick (Grant ID: 10061, Grant title: Cherepanov FC001061) Crick (Grant ID: 10015, Grant title: STP Structural Biology)

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