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High-throughput immunoassays for SARS-CoV-2–considerable differences in performance when comparing three methods

Ekelund, Oskar ; Ekblom, Kim LU ; Somajo, Sofia LU ; Pattison-Granberg, Johanna ; Olsson, Karl and Petersson, Annika LU (2021) In Infectious Diseases 53(10). p.805-810
Abstract

Background: The recently launched high-throughput assays for detecting antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 has contributed to the managing strategies for the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the performance of three high-throughput assays and one rapid lateral flow test relative to regulatory authorities' recommended criteria. Methods: A total of 315 samples, including 150 pre-pandemic samples, 152 samples from SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive individuals and 13 potentially cross-reactive samples were analysed with SARS-CoV-2 IgG (Abbott, Abbott Park, IL), Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (Roche, Solna, Sweden), LIAISON SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG (DiaSorin, Saluggia, Italy) and 2019-nCOV IgG/IgM Rapid Test (Dynamiker Biotechnology Co., Tianjin,... (More)

Background: The recently launched high-throughput assays for detecting antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 has contributed to the managing strategies for the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the performance of three high-throughput assays and one rapid lateral flow test relative to regulatory authorities' recommended criteria. Methods: A total of 315 samples, including 150 pre-pandemic samples, 152 samples from SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive individuals and 13 potentially cross-reactive samples were analysed with SARS-CoV-2 IgG (Abbott, Abbott Park, IL), Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (Roche, Solna, Sweden), LIAISON SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG (DiaSorin, Saluggia, Italy) and 2019-nCOV IgG/IgM Rapid Test (Dynamiker Biotechnology Co., Tianjin, China). Results: All assays performed with a high level of specificity ranging from 96.7% to 99.3%. Sensitivity differed more between the assays, Roche exhibiting the highest sensitivity of 98.7%. The corresponding figures for Abbott, DiaSorin and Dynamiker Biotechnology were 80.9%, 89.0% and 72.4%, respectively. Conclusions: The results of the evaluated SARS-CoV-2 assays vary considerably, as well as their ability to fulfil the performance criteria proposed by regulatory authorities. Introduction into clinical use in low-prevalent settings, should, therefore, be made with caution.

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author
; ; ; ; and
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
keywords
antibodies, COVID-19, immunology, SARS-CoV-2, serology
in
Infectious Diseases
volume
53
issue
10
pages
6 pages
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:85107335022
  • pmid:34053400
ISSN
2374-4235
DOI
10.1080/23744235.2021.1931434
language
English
LU publication?
no
additional info
Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Society for Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases.
id
ad849ee0-d8c9-4071-a199-36a9537c992a
date added to LUP
2026-02-17 14:14:33
date last changed
2026-02-18 07:45:59
@article{ad849ee0-d8c9-4071-a199-36a9537c992a,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background: The recently launched high-throughput assays for detecting antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 has contributed to the managing strategies for the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the performance of three high-throughput assays and one rapid lateral flow test relative to regulatory authorities' recommended criteria. Methods: A total of 315 samples, including 150 pre-pandemic samples, 152 samples from SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive individuals and 13 potentially cross-reactive samples were analysed with SARS-CoV-2 IgG (Abbott, Abbott Park, IL), Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (Roche, Solna, Sweden), LIAISON SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG (DiaSorin, Saluggia, Italy) and 2019-nCOV IgG/IgM Rapid Test (Dynamiker Biotechnology Co., Tianjin, China). Results: All assays performed with a high level of specificity ranging from 96.7% to 99.3%. Sensitivity differed more between the assays, Roche exhibiting the highest sensitivity of 98.7%. The corresponding figures for Abbott, DiaSorin and Dynamiker Biotechnology were 80.9%, 89.0% and 72.4%, respectively. Conclusions: The results of the evaluated SARS-CoV-2 assays vary considerably, as well as their ability to fulfil the performance criteria proposed by regulatory authorities. Introduction into clinical use in low-prevalent settings, should, therefore, be made with caution.</p>}},
  author       = {{Ekelund, Oskar and Ekblom, Kim and Somajo, Sofia and Pattison-Granberg, Johanna and Olsson, Karl and Petersson, Annika}},
  issn         = {{2374-4235}},
  keywords     = {{antibodies; COVID-19; immunology; SARS-CoV-2; serology}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{10}},
  pages        = {{805--810}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Infectious Diseases}},
  title        = {{High-throughput immunoassays for SARS-CoV-2–considerable differences in performance when comparing three methods}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23744235.2021.1931434}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/23744235.2021.1931434}},
  volume       = {{53}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}