New Study Findings on COVID-19 Antibody Testing Could Help Ascertain Community Immunity and Surveillance of New Infections by Variants

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FastLabs, a leading rapid laboratory and medical testing company, today announced that its new longitudinal case study was published on Authorea, the leading online collaborative research platform. Among other discoveries, the study found that COVID-19 patients who had experienced loss of taste or smell had lesser but more sustained antibody levels compared to those who did not.

The study took place in South Florida where researchers analyzed the data on approximately 22 confirmed COVID-19 patients. The patients profiled used a “point of care device” for quantitative antibody measurement using blood samples from a finger prick. The measurement gave a specific concentration of antibodies for all participants rather than a traditional antibody test of yes or no. Half of the patients had experienced loss of smell (anosmia) or taste (ageusia).

Researchers were able to analyze and measure two specific antibodies—IgG and IgM, specialized defenses to foreign pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. They found levels to be very different between patients who experienced loss of smell and taste and those who did not.

The results of the new study indicate that those with anosmia or ageusia had lesser but sustained antibody levels while those with “normal” senses had higher but rapidly declining antibody levels.

“Our study primarily demonstrates the feasibility of using quantitative antibody monitoring to help us measure patients’ antibody levels, which is valuable information in understanding community immunity and length of post-vaccination protection,” said Dr. Raul Cruz, senior author and Chief Medical Officer at Fastlabs. Further commenting, “The ability to quantify antibody levels will also provide the ability to surveil new variants in the population.”

FastLabs is committed to collecting data to learn more about the patterns and behaviors of COVID-19 and the vaccines. It will continue its research at all its Miami and Broward locations.

Those interested in being part of any current studies are encouraged to make an appointment at their nearest FastLabs’ location. To make an appointment for testing, please visit FastLabsMed.com.

Editor’s Note:

Published study can be found here:

https://www.authorea.com/doi/full/10.22541/au.161833605.59590599/v1

DOI: 10.22541/au.161833605.59590599/v1

About FastLabs

FastLabs is a leading medical diagnostics company that provides rapid and accurate laboratory and medical testing for easy, safe, and quick lab results. Currently focused on COVID-19 testing and other viruses, FastLabs provides express results for those who need fast PCR and rapid testing from the convenience of their vehicles, businesses, or homes. With results in minutes, accessibility to fast, reliable, and advanced technologies for accurate viral detection is FastLabs’ strong point in the effort to help expedite diagnosis, treatment and mitigate the spread of disease.