Please note effective 14th June, SARS-CoV-2 IgG serology testing will be available at Pathlab.
This assay can potentially be used to assess vaccine response and to detect previous infection.
This is a quantitative IgG assay performed on the Abbott Alinity platform. However, as it is still not clear exactly what level of antibodies confers reliable protection against COVID-19 post-vaccination, we will report positive and negative IgG results in a qualitative manner in the first instance, along with qualifying comments as below:
Positive “IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein DETECTED. This result indicates prior exposure to SARS-CoV-2 or vaccination. Antibody levels peak approximately 2 weeks after infection or second dose of vaccine, with variable duration of measurable antibody. The presence of antibodies is likely to be associated with current protection from symptomatic COVID-19 infection, but a true serological correlate of protection has not yet been established.”
Negative “IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 NOT detected. A proportion of mild cases of COVID-19 do not produce durable antibodies. The presence of antibodies is likely to be associated with current protection from symptomatic COVID-19 infection, but a true serological correlate of protection has not yet been established. Absence of measurable antibodies after vaccination does not necessarily imply lack of immunity.”Please ensure relevant clinical history and COVID-19 vaccination status (including date of vaccination) is on the request form.
Please note - this assay is not currently funded so the patient will be charged.
This test must be requested by a clinician and is not currently available by self-request.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.