Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons
A test developed by researchers at the University of Arizona (UA) may detect COVID-19 without any symptoms.
Lead researchers are UA immunologists Deepta Bhattacharya and Janko Nikolich. They use measures of antibodies in the blood to see whether or not the patient was or currently is infected by the virus.
"One of the goals of what Janko and I would like to do is from these patient samples figure out which specific antibodies are protective," Bhattacharya said, according to AZ Central. "Then that actually can be something that is therapeutically useful."
As testing rolls out, it will first be limited to a small number of patients. It has potential to help provide answers to important questions about the virus, such as its breadth and reinfection possibilities.
The test may assist researches in developing a vaccine for COVID-19.
On Friday, March 27, researchers got their first sample from a patient confirmed to be in recovery. After that sample is tested, they will continue to further develop the test.
The test works by measuring antibody levels in the blood. Antibodies are proteins the body develops via the immune system to help fight viruses and infections.
Due to time restrictions and other factors, the test will not be eligible for widespread use. Instead, they plan on teaming with health practitioners to identify the right patients to use the test for.
The antibody test works with liquids, and will turn blue to indicate presence of coronavirus antibodies.
Currently, the research team can test about a dozen samples a week. The process of the test is time staking and laborious. The lead researchers estimate they will test about 100 people at most, emphasizing health care workers and first responders.
Arizona State University researchers also have a test in development, which can be used for all seven strains of the coronavirus.
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