Performance of a SARS CoV-2 antibody ELISA based on simultaneous measurement of antibodies against the viral nucleoprotein and receptor-binding domain

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2021 Dec;40(12):2645-2649. doi: 10.1007/s10096-021-04284-5. Epub 2021 Jun 4.

Abstract

SARS CoV-2 antibody assays measure antibodies against the viral nucleoprotein (NP) or spike protein. The study examined if testing of antibodies against both antigens increases the diagnostic sensitivity. Sera (N=98) from infected individuals were tested with ELISAs based on the NP, receptor-binding domain (RBD), or both proteins. The AUROCs were 0.958 (NP), 0.991 (RBD), and 0.992 (NP/RBD). The RBD- and NP/RBD-based ELISAs showed better performance than the NP-based assay. Simultaneous testing for antibodies against NP and RBD increased the number of true and false positives. If maximum diagnostic sensitivity is required, the NP/RBD-based ELISA is preferable. Otherwise, the RBD-based ELISA is sufficient.

Keywords: Antibodies; COVID-19; ELISA; Nucleoprotein; Receptor-binding domain; SARS CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • COVID-19 / blood*
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • COVID-19 Testing / methods*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods*
  • Humans
  • Nucleoproteins / chemistry
  • Nucleoproteins / immunology*
  • Protein Domains
  • SARS-CoV-2 / chemistry
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Nucleoproteins