Are Seroprevalence Estimates for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Biased?

J Infect Dis. 2020 Nov 9;222(11):1772-1775. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa523.

Abstract

Biased seroprevalence estimates can occur using serological assays optimized with validation sets unrepresentative of disease spectrum in the general population. Correct interpretation of serosurveys for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 requires quantifying variations in sensitivity with disease severity and over time.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence; antibody testing; spectrum bias; test performance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • COVID-19 / blood
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • COVID-19 / immunology
  • COVID-19 Testing / methods*
  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques / methods
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral