Widely available test could identify SARS-CoV-2 antibody in patients with kidney disease
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Researchers in the United Kingdom have determined that a widely available test is effective among patients with kidney disease for detection of an antibody that can develop after exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
According to Maria Prendecki, PhD, of Imperial College London, and colleagues, these results point to a more accessible screening method than real time polymerase chain reaction testing, which is the current “gold standard diagnostic test.”
“A number of serological tests for [immunoglobulin G] against SARS-CoV-2 are now commercially available including multiple lateral flow immunoassays (LFIA), which have the advantage of being cheap and easy to use without the reliance on laboratory facilities,” the researchers wrote. “However, data on the development of humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in patients with kidney disease is limited, and the utility of a LFIA to test for antibodies in these patients has not been assessed.”
To investigate, Prendecki and colleagues tested 60 patients with kidney disease (40 receiving maintenance hemodialysis and 20 kidney transplant recipients) with a LFIA. All patients had SARS-CoV-2 infection that had been confirmed by viral RT-PCR testing.
A total of 96.6% patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG with the LFIA.
“Patients who tested negative for IgG antibodies underwent repeat testing if the first test was performed on a sample taken [21 days or less] after confirmation of infection,” the researchers wrote.
They found that 71.4% of patients who were negative on preliminary testing had detectable IgG when retested more than 21 days after diagnosis.
Regarding test performance, LFIA had a sensitivity of 96.6% and a specificity of 97.7%.
“We have shown that a LFIA can detect SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody in venous blood of symptomatic hemodialysis and transplant recipients with a clinically meaningful sensitivity and specificity,” Prendecki and colleagues wrote. “Used diligently, a LFIA could be utilized to help screen dialysis populations or to aid diagnosis on a patient level, especially in facilities where laboratory resources are limited.
“Lateral flow immunoassays could therefore enable equity of access to SARS-CoV-2 serology testing for patients with kidney disease across the globe.”
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