02.04.2021, 13:20
Since the onset of the pandemic, testing for COVID has evolved rapidly, playing a key role in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 virus. Testing remains essential, even in the context of the worldwide vaccination campaign. There are currently two categories of laboratory tests, each with a specific purpose: Real Time PCR for the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection and serological tests to detect the antibodies that the body produces as a result of contact with the virus.
Real Time PCR test, considered the gold standard in the diagnosis of COVID-19, has the role of directly identifying the presence of the virus in the respiratory tract, so as to confirm or deny an acute infection, by highlighting the presence of viral RNA in the nasopharynx.
In what situations is it necessary for an employee of a company to take the RT-PCR test?
- When showing respiratory symptoms. In this case, the employee must isolate himself at home until the result is received in order to limit the spread of the virus among colleagues. If the result of the RT-PCR test is positive, the person should contact their family doctor and / or treating physician to be monitored.
- If he came in contact with a person tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, even if the employee did not show specific symptoms.
- When traveling to other countries, for professional or personal interest. Some countries require Romanian citizens to submit a negative PCR test before allowing them access to their territory.
- Last but not least, the PCR test can be done in any situation that raises suspicions, without the need for a prescription.
Where can the Real Time PCR test be done for an accurate result?
Performing and processing this test requires rigorous measures and special protocols, according to the standards of the World Health Organization. Laboratories must have biosecurity circuits and processing flows separate from those for the rest of the laboratory samples.
From the beginning of the pandemic, MedLife has expanded its network with 6 own Real Time PCR laboratories, put into operation in Bucharest, Sfântu Gheorghe, Timişoara and Cluj. They operate to the highest security standards, with the ability to process thousands of tests daily. In fact, in the last six months, hundreds of thousands of tests for the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been processed in MedLife laboratories across the country.
Serological tests have the role of detecting the body’s immune response following SARS-CoV-2 infection. In other words, they can confirm or refute a previous infection, both in people who have had symptoms specific to the infection and in asymptomatic ones.
This type of test identifies, after the analysis of a blood sample, antibodies such as Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and Immunoglobulin G (IgG) that the body produces when it comes in contact with the cornavirus, which can remain in the body for up to several months. The tests detect anti-protein N (nucleocapsid) and S (spike) antibodies in the blood, because they play an important role in SARS-CoV-2 infection and cause a significant production of antibodies. Therefore, identification of anti-protein N (nucleocapsid) and / or anti-protein S (Spike) antibodies, IgG and / or IgM type, provides an indication of a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, but does not specify the distance from the time of infection or the symptomatic route .
However, the absence of IgG or IgM antibodies certainly does not rule out a possible previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Anamnestic, clinical, epidemiological data and RNA detection by RT-PCR are the elements that must be the basis of medical judgment.
What do employees and employers need to know about the results of antibody serological tests?
If an employee has negative result in serological IgM and IgG tests means either that it has not come in contact with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, or that the time to infection is still insufficient for the development of antibodies. If it is suspected to have been in contact with the virus, RT-PCR testing, the safest test method for diagnosing COVID-19 infection, is recommended.
A positive IgM result may indicate a possible acute infection, given that IgM antibodies are produced by the immune system immediately after infection. Therefore, if the employee does not know that he has gone through the disease, it is recommended that in case of a positive IgM result, an RT-PCR test be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
Instead, it is very likely that employees who have a IgG positive result have had previous contact with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, whether they had specific symptoms or were asymptomatic.
Theoretically, the presence of antibodies should provide protection against a new virus infection, but there are currently not enough data to firmly support this about SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Because, compliance with protection measures (wearing a mask, sanitizing hands, social distance) remain essential, including at work.
Currently, 3 types of MedLife labs can be performed tests for the detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, all by the chemiluminescence method.
- IgM anti-S antibody test – qualitative test, recommended for people who have been vaccinated and are not sure that they have suffered from COVID-19 disease.
- Anti-N IgG antibody test – a qualitative test, recommended for people who have not been vaccinated and are not sure that they have suffered from COVID-19 disease.
- IgG anti-S antibody test – quantitative test, recommended for people who have been vaccinated and are not sure that they have suffered from COVID-19 disease.
Find out where antibody serological tests can be performed and which is closest harvesting center MedLife.
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