Determination of the antibody level produced by the immune system based on a sample taken from venous blood.
Laboratory result is ready in 2-3 working days.
For the determination of the post-vaccination level of immunity (antibody level) and for the accesss to an immunity certificate.
Alternatively, it is recommended to undergo antibody testing even if we suspect that we have been infected by a coronavirus, but we haven’t been able to confirm infection with an officially accepted test. (In almost 80 % of the cases Coronavirus infection is asymptomatic or it takes place with mild symptoms, so it is worth making sure that the patient has developed immunity to the disease).
Types of antibody tests:
I. Antibody level assay to detect antibodies produced against IgG (N/nucleocapsid) proteins
Price of the COVID-19 antibody test: HUF 11,000.
The test is suitable to prove if we have had an infection before – even if it was asymptomatic.
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II. COVID-19 complex antibody (IgG+IgM) (Ab) assay
The complex antibody test can detect the body’s immune response against a viral infection by a highly sensitive immunological method (ELISA).
Based on a sample taken from venous blood, the test detects the specific IgG antibody developed against the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). If the result of the test is positive, it confirms that the body has produced antibodies against the coronavirus. This is the reason why on the basis of the test’s finding, the immunity certificate can be requested (as per Government Decree 60/2021 – 12 February).
IgG positivity refers to the presence of protective antibodies in the blood, that have developed after at least 14 days of coronavirus infection, and to the development of post-vaccination immunity too.
The other component of the examination is the IgM test, which in case of positivity refers to a coronavirus infection of the recent past (it can be detected even on the second day of the infection).
Price of the COVID-19 complex antibody (IgG+IgM)(Ab) test: HUF 16,000.
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III: Centaur XPT (venous blood) assay – Coronavirus immunity test after infection or vaccination (S protein antibody, neutralizing antibody)
Sample taken from venous blood shows whether an antibody (total immunoglobulin) has appeared in the body which neutralizes the part of the S-spike protein of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV2 virus) which makes the infiltration of the virus into the cell possible.
The test also confirms whether the patient has gotten over the disease, developed post-vaccination immunity and the level of immunity ensured by the antibodies produced.
This seriological procedure provides more information than the antibody assays described above because it can quantify the level/status of the antibodies ensuring the immunity. The number is proportional to the quantity of antibodies circulating (neutralizing) in the blood, which conveys correct information about the effectiveness or necessity of vaccination. Therefore, the test is recommended to be performed 21 days after the first vaccination and 7-14 days after the second vaccination. The Centaur test shows the level of antibodies, associated with a specific part of the ’S’ protein, the so-called receptor-binding domain (RBD). Antibodies which interact with RBD prevent the virus from binding to the ACE receptor, in this way obstructing the infiltration of the virus into the cell.
The test’s finding makes the application for the immunity certificate possible (as per Government Decree 60/2021 – 12 February), as the positive result confirms that the body has developed an immune response against the coronavirus.
The test detects positivity with a sensitivity of 99 % and with a specificity of 100 %. (Rarely, cross-reactions may occur due to past or current infection with other types of coronaviruses, like SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV, HKU1, 229E, NL63 or OC43, or due to antibodies already present in blood).
Price of Centaur XPT (venous blood) assay – Coronavirus immunity test after infection or vaccination (S protein antibody, neutralizing antibody): HUF 15,000.
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IV: Complex immunity (Centaur XPT+IgG combined) antibody test
The method for detecting different antibodies produced by the body after infection or vaccination involves the testing for antibodies against nucleocapsid (’N’) of the SARS-CoV2 virus with the help of the above detailed Elisa IgG test; in addition, the response to the ’S’ spike protein is analyzed too with the application of the also described Centaur test.
This combined antibody test is highly recommended to those who were vaccinated with whole virus vaccines, since in this case the body does not always develop both types of antibodies. However this complex immunity test can detect both antibody types.
The test’s finding makes the application for the immunity certificate possible too (as per Government Decree 60/2021 – 12 February), as the positive result confirms that the body has developed an immune response against the coronavirus.
Price of complex immunity (combined Centaur XPT + IgG) antibody test is HUF 19,500.
