Applications and Features of Assays Measuring SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies-A Recent Study
Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) play a crucial role in understanding and combating COVID-19. Scientists discuss the significance and characteristics of assays used to measure NAbs against SARS-CoV-2. These assays help evaluate vaccine efficacy, monitor new variants, and understand the immune response.
Assays measuring NAbs assess protection against SARS-CoV-2 from natural infection or vaccination. They also evaluate vaccine effectiveness by measuring the immune response and detecting neutralizing antibodies. This information guides vaccine strategies and identifies individuals needing additional doses or boosters.
These assays aid variant surveillance by testing NAbs against different SARS-CoV-2 variants. They determine if antibodies from previous infections or vaccines remain effective against emerging variants, informing public health measures and vaccine strategies.
Key points from the article:
- Neither natural infection nor vaccination alone provides sufficient NAbs for complete protection, and NAb levels decline over time.
- Immunocompromised individuals have an incomplete response to vaccines, and monitoring variants of concern (VOCs) is vital.
- First-generation vaccines have lower efficacy against the Omicron variant, necessitating new vaccines and booster injections. Monitoring NAbs and identifying non-responders is crucial.
- Molecular Interaction Assays (MIAs) are suitable for mass screening and establishing NAb cut-off levels for booster recommendations.
- Negative MIA results can be re-evaluated using Virus Neutralization Tests (VNTs) or pseudovirus VNTs (pVNTs) to identify NAbs targeting other regions.
- Collecting serum samples and correlating infection data with MIA results helps determine protective NAb levels and establish cut-off levels for effective protection.
Spear Bio’s NAB-Sure™ SARS-CoV-2 test kit simplifies NAb testing using real-time PCR. It provides qualitative and quantitative NAb titer measurements with the accuracy of cell-based assays like PRNT, but without safety concerns and lengthy workflows. The assay can analyze small serum or plasma volumes, allowing for new micro-sampling techniques during collection.