A new antibody test with 99% accuracy, to check whether someone has been infected with coronavirus, has been approved for use across Europe.
Abbott, the global diagnostics specialists, which has a UK base, has said it is expecting to ship millions of the laboratory based lab tests across Europe by the end of May, reports The Independent UK.
A “CE” mark was given to the company’s diagnostic test, to show that it complies with EU safety rules.
The test can be conducted in labs across the UK for antibodies created when a person was infected with Covid-19.
Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor in cellular microbiology at the University of Reading, said the development of the test was “very significant,” the report mentioned.
He said: “The test tells you whether you have ever been exposed to the virus and generated an immune response. What it cannot do is tell you whether you are immune or not.
“Having antibodies in and of itself does not give you protective immunity, it might do, but we do not know that.”
There are some coronavirus cases which cause the common cold and leave sufferers with immunity that lasts only a short time; also because coronavirus is very new, for which scientists are yet to find out whether immunity will last after infection, he explained.
The test proved useful to authorities because it showed “how the virus has moved through the population” but added “for the general public it is of no immediate utility,” Clarke added.
The test identifies the “IgG protein” the body produces when it is infected by coronavirus and this can remain in the body for months and possibly years, the report also said.
Abbott claimed that its product showed sensitivity greater than 99% in the tests, in 14 days after symptoms were developed in 73 coronavirus-positive patients.
It was more than 99% specific in identifying 1,070 negative samples that did not contain Covid-19 antibodies.
The Abbott test, made in Europe, can be used in machines already in labs across the UK.
The Independent report also mentioned that testing is crucial to help identify patients who have had the coronavirus infection and might be able to return to work because they have antibodies – and could be crucial for NHS workers and people in other key roles.
However, the science behind immunity after infection is still unclear and it could be the case that people who have recovered from infection become susceptible again in the future, the report further said.
Widespread testing a key part to end UK lockdown
Widespread testing for both infected and recovered coronavirus patients will be a key part of government measures to end the UK lockdown imposed on March 23.
Prof John Newton, who is leading the UK government’s efforts on testing, said antibody tests for the public could be available as soon as next month or early June.
He said: “We are optimistic that we will have a good antibody test when we need it, which of course is a little later in the progress of the pandemic,” he told the BBC. “Not many people would test positive for an antibody test if we had one now, so antibody tests come a little later.”
Abbott’s northern Europe Diagnostics Division Managing Director Mike Clayton said: “Abbott has been focused on bringing Covid-19 tests to market as quickly as possible to help address the pandemic.
“We are proud to be able to provide our antibody tests immediately as they will help understand who has had the virus, leading to greater confidence as we get back to living life.
“We are collaborating with the NHS, public health bodies, and private laboratories across the UK to enable this test to be used here,” he added.
Abbott significantly scaled up its European manufacturing for antibody testing and said it will develop testing for detection of the antibody” IgM” in the near future to expand the range of possible antibody tests,” Independent report said.
On April 28, the British health secretary said that people over 65 and their families would now be eligible for testing, as well as people who leave their homes to work who have coronavirus symptoms.
Also, care home residents and staff will also be able to access tests, even if they do not have symptoms, as well as asymptomatic NHS patients and staff.
The demand for home testing kits exceeded supplies, with the government website for ordering tests forced to close within hours.
On April 27, key workers were unable to order any tests online -the fourth day in a row - as tests became unavailable within hours of the booking system opening.
On Friday, the kits ran out around two minutes after the service was launched, and on Saturday morning, it ran out after 15 minutes.
