Tracing the Virus - AESKULISA SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Tests
A secure future thanks to quantitative SARS-CoV-2 AESKULISA tests
In the current situation, it is hardly necessary to argue about the urgent need for an effective and robust vaccine to treat COVID-19, because our society and humanity itself are in a state of emergency. However, not only a vaccine is urgently needed, but the success of vaccination must also be verified using quantitative tests. Quantitative tests react to neutralizing antibodies, i.e., antibodies responding to a pathogen and breaking it down, make it possible to determine the success of an immune response and a vaccination in everyday practice.
For the determination of an immune reaction, the examination of immunoglobulins, so-called antibodies, has been established for years. Since protein structures on the surface of a pathogen (bacterium, virus) are specific, i.e., unique for individual structures, the immune system forms the appropriate antibody; it is possible to examine different antibodies for confirmation and infection. In the case of SARS-CoV-2 viruses, the nucleocapsid protein (N) and the spike protein (S1) are suitable.
AESKU offers six different immunoassays:
AESKULISA® SARS-CoV-2 NP IgM/ IgA / IgG
AESKULISA® SARS-CoV-2 NP IgA, IgG, and IgM tests are qualitative and quantitative immunoassays for the detection of human IgM, IgA, and IgG antibodies in serum or plasma directed against SARS-CoV-2 in highly conserved nucleocapsid protein (NP). The nucleocapsid protein is very reactive and stimulates a strong immune response. This potent immune response provides a very sensitive detection of antibodies, which allows a clear differentiation between positive and negative samples.
They are, therefore, ideal for IgM, IgG, and IgA detection for screening and diagnosis. Due to the high sensitivity and the strong conservation of the nucleocapsid protein in the coronavirus family, the risk of cross-reaction with antibodies against SARS-CoV-1 is increased. Since antibodies against the nucleocapsid protein have no neutralizing effect, they are not suitable for determining the immune status, the so-called antibody titer.
AESKU uses immunogenic nucleocapsid proteins of SARS-CoV-2 expressed in insect cells for the sensitive detection of IgM, IgA, and IgG antibodies.
Table 1: Sensitivity and specificity of AESKULISA® SARS-CoV-2 NP IgA
and IgG immunoassays were assessed by the analysis of 76 serum samples from healthy blood donors (2018) and 20 individuals with clinically confirmed COVID19 using the clinical findings as a reference.
AESKULISA® SARS-CoV-2 S1 IgM/ IgA / IgG
AESKULISA® SARS-CoV-2 S1 IgA, IgG, and IgM tests are qualitative and quantitative immunoassays for the detection of human IgM, IgA, and IgG antibodies in serum or plasma directed against SARS-CoV-2 by the highly specific spike protein (S1). The spike protein has the advantage over the nucleocapsid protein that is highly specific for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Resulting in a much lower risk of cross-reactions with antibodies against other members of the coronavirus family. IgG antibodies react against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) on the spike proteins. They are considered to be neutralizing and, therefore, suitable for monitoring the antibody titer of patients.
Test Kit Components
- Aluminium-sealed and coated MTP with breakable cavities
- 4 Calibrators (A – D), Calibrator B = cut off Calibrator
- Positive and Negative Control
- Sample Dilution Buffer (5x conc.; for IgM detection incl. Rf Absorbent)
- Wash Buffer (50x conc.)
- Conjugate (anti-human IgG / IgA / IgM conjugated to POD)
- Substrate (TMB) and „Stop Solution“
- Quality Control Certificate and Instruction Manual
MEDLAB 2020 - AESKU.GROUP highlights from the premier global laboratory and diagnostics conference in Dubai
Tuesday April 10th, 2018, was the official start date for the HELIOS system at the Vicente Corral Moscoso Regional Hospital in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador.
) in the interactive HELIOS picture to activate detailed information regarding the serveral HELIOS features.