The WHO International Standard for COVID-19 serological tests: towards harmonization of anti-spike assays.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays are relevant in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, providing valuable data on the immunization status of the population. However, current serology tests are highly variable, due to their different characteristics and to the lack of reference materials. The aim of the World Health Organization (WHO) first International Standard (IS) for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin is to harmonize humoral immune response assessment after natural infection or vaccination, and recommend reporting the results for binding activity in Binding Antibody Units (BAU).

Materials and methods

This study analyzed six commercial quantitative anti-SARS-CoV-2 S-protein assays in a head-to-head comparison, using the manufacturers' conversion factors for the WHO IS

SUBMITTER: Infantino M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8403673 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature