A very few people may not make antibodies at all. But they will still have immunity from T cells, which can recognize, remember and kill viruses. Again, how cool is the immune system? 6/xhttps://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/22/health/covid-antibodies-herd-immunity.html …
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This blew my mind: *several* tests — including ones made by
@Roche and@AbbottNews, used by Quest/@LabCorp -- test for antibodies to the nucleocapsid (N) rather than to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike (S) protein, or the “business” end of the virus. Why? 7/x1 reply 15 retweets 42 likesShow this thread -
The N protein is plentiful, so antibodies to it produce an early bright signal—which is great for test makers in terms of showing a high sensitivity. But some reports now suggest N antibodies may also wane faster than antibodies to the spike or RBD. 8/x
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Even if that turns out not to be true – most of the time N and S antibodies have similar kinetics – it is just confusing for companies to be testing for antibodies that have little to do with immunity. 9/x
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So… bottom line, if you had confirmed Covid (ie, not if you just thought you had it), chances are pretty good that you have some protection from the virus, *even* if you got a negative antibody test. 10/x
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Sorry for the long thread but immunology is complicated! Huge thanks to
@michaelmina_lab, Fiona Havers,@VirusesImmunity@angie_rasmussen for their patience and expertise, and@JBerz_MD for sharing his story. Please read the full article:https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/26/health/coronvirus-antibody-tests.html …10 replies 16 retweets 85 likesShow this thread -
Replying to @apoorva_nyc @Roche and
How long after symptoms start would you test positive for?
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Replying to @kimmaicutler @Roche and
Good question. Some papers have said antibody levels in some people drop 2-3 months after
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Replying to @apoorva_nyc @Roche and
What about a regular non-antibody test?
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Oh I meant if you took a coronavirus test but your symptoms had disappeared a say a week or so earlier, which test would you take?
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Replying to @kimmaicutler @Roche and
Oh, I see. I wouldn't bother with a PCR test at that point. Wait a couple of weeks and take an antibody test
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