March 3, 2020

Antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in patients of novel coronavirus disease 2019

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

• Seroconversion was evaluated for 173 COVID-19 patients in China. Less than 40% of patients showed presence of antibodies during the first 7 days of illness, but this rapidly increased over subsequent days to 100% (Ab), 94.3% (IgM), and 79.8% (IgG). Combining RNA and antibody tests significantly improved diagnostic sensitivity, even in the first 7 days of illness. Higher Ab titer was also associated with increased illness severity. 

Zhao et al. (Mar 3, 2020). Antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in patients of novel coronavirus disease 2019. Pre-print downloaded Mar 3 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.03.02.20030189