Journal article
An international comparison of anti-SARS-COV-2 assays used for seroprevalence surveys from blood component providers
Vox Sanguinis, Vol.116(9), pp.946-954
2021
PMCID: PMC8242559
PMID: 33914918
Appears in COVID-19 Research
Abstract
Background and objectives: Access to large pools of healthy adult donors advantageously positions blood component providers to undertake anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence studies. While numerous seroprevalence reports have been published by blood operators during the COVID-19 pandemic, details on the assay used has not been well documented. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the diversity of assays being used by blood operators and assess how this may affect seroprevalence estimates.
Materials and methods: We surveyed 49 blood component providers from 39 countries. Questionnaire included information on the number and identity of assays used, the detected immunoglobulin(s) and target antigen, and performance characteristics (sensitivity, specificity).
Results: Thirty-eight of the 49 contacted blood suppliers provided at least partial responses. The results indicate that 19 commercial and five in-house serology assays have been used by surveyed blood operators. The Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay was the most commonly used kit and utilized by 15 blood suppliers. Two assays did not detect IgG, but detected either IgM/IgA or IgM. 68·2% of assays targeted the spike protein and 50% the nucleocapsid protein, while 18·2% targeted both viral proteins. The sensitivity and specificity of IgG-specific assays ranged from 71·9% to 100% and from 96·2% to 100%, respectively. As of 18 October 2020, the seroprevalence was below 5% in 10 of 14 countries reporting.
Conclusion: Our results highlight the diversity of assays being used. Analyses comparing blood donor seroprevalence across countries should consider assay characteristics with optimization of signal/cut-off ratios and consistent methodology to adjust for waning antibody.
Details
- Title
- An international comparison of anti-SARS-COV-2 assays used for seroprevalence surveys from blood component providers
- Authors
- Antoine Lewin (Corresponding Author) - Medical Affairs & Innovation, Héma-Québec, Montreal, QC, CanadaSteven J Drews (Author) - Canadian Blood ServicesRyanne Lieshout-Krikke (Author) - SanquinChristian Erikstrup (Author) - Aarhus University HospitalSahar Saeed (Author) - Canadian Blood ServicesHelen Faddy (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - LegacySamra Uzicanin (Author) - Canadian Blood ServicesBrian Custer (Author) - VitalantSheila F O'Brien (Author) - Canadian Blood Services
- Publication details
- Vox Sanguinis, Vol.116(9), pp.946-954
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
- Date published
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.1111/vox.13100
- ISSN
- 1423-0410
- PMID
- 33914918; PMC8242559
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Biomedicine; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99532508502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Industry collaboration
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- Web Of Science research areas
- Hematology
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