BioSURE COVID-19 Antibody Self Test

Antibodies are proteins that are found in the blood that makeup an integral part of our immune system. Antibodies are capable of killing or marking infected cells for destruction, upon marking certain cells for destruction, signals are sent to other immune cells to come in and destroy the infected cell to prevent it from causing further damage to other cells and your body.

There are five types of antibody: IgG, IgE, IgM, IgA and IgD. IgG is the antibody that is most abundant in your blood; it makes up roughly 75% of all antibodies in humans. The antibody (IgG) is produced by cells in your body called “B-Cells”. The antibody is “Y-shaped” and the top of the “Y” is where it will bind foreign substances (antigens) to signal other cells that comprise the immune system to come and help. 

Since this IgG is the main type of antibody found in blood, it primarily helps control infection in the tissue meaning it aids in fighting against viruses, bacteria and fungi. Since IgG is such an abundant antibody, it clears out all foreign bugs through various different mechanisms. In clinical settings, measuring the level of IgG antibody helps to indicate an individual's immunity to a certain pathogen. Some of the most common examples where IgG antibody tests are used to test for serological immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), hepatitis B virus, and varicella (chickenpox) amongst others. 

The covid-19 coronavirus antibody test was discovered, designed and manufactured by Roche. Roche is a leading multinational medical device and healthcare company. The test received Emergency Use Authorisation, from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the CE Mark in Europe.

The Roche Covid-19 antibody test is NOT a rapid home test kit, meaning it is not like the ones you have seen in the news. These tests are government approved and the test is a lab test you will NOT get your results at home; antibody tests have been around for a very long time and this is the same analytical method that has been used in the past in laboratories across the world. Our partner pathology lab is one of the biggest in the UK, is regulated by Public Health England and processes tests for many public health providers.

The coronavirus antibody tests, tests for the presence of IgG antibodies that are sensitive (can fight against) to covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2). The host immune system reacts to the infection by SARS-CoV-2 by producing antibodies from a few days to 2 weeks after the onset of symptoms. Specific IgG antibodies are produced in the later stages of infection to SARS-CoV-2, and are detectable after RNA is no longer detectable. The persistence of IgG antibodies allows identification of people who have been infected by SARS-CoV-2. Test development relating to SARS-CoV-2 is rapidly evolving. The IgG antibody for SARS-CoV-2 will be shown as “COV-2 IgG” when you receive your results.

The results will be shown as the ‘level’ of COV-2 IgG present in your system. If you have a level greater than or equal to 0.4U/ml of the antibody present, this means there is a chance you have immunity to Covid-19. If your level is less than 0.4U/ml then you are unlikelyto have been infected or to have immunity. 

You will receive your results via text message, it is therefore important you write your mobile phone number and input all your personal details onto the form provided when you send your test back to the lab.

Testing should be undertaken 14 days or more following exposure or onset of symptoms. The incubation period of COVID-19 ranges from between 1 to 14 days, with the majority of cases manifesting with symptoms at 3 - 5 days. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, dry cough and difficulty breathing. These symptoms have the potential to develop into a very severe acute respiratory illness. Evidence shows that fatality rates increase with age, gender, body weight, ethnicity and comorbidities.

Currently, we are unable to determine whether or not presence of the IgG antibodies specific for SARS-CoV-2 would indicate blanket immunity against the virus. In order to keep yourself safe and make sure others are also safe, it is vital you maintain good hygiene practices, social distance and follow government guidelines regarding isolation if you do feel you may have any of the symptoms. 

It is hypothesised that those who have been infected and have antibodies against covid-19 in their blood are less likely to be infected again, however, because this strain is so new to humans the evidence base is thin.