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COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) PCR assay

COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody testing

Specimens

  • Nasal/Throat swabs collected using BD dry swabs/Remel M4RT/Copan 321C UTM or Copan 147C / Citoswab or miraclean swabs.
  • Samples should be taken from symptomatic patients between days 1–5 from onset of symptoms.
  • Specimens should be sent to the laboratory at ambient temperature in Category B packaging and labelled as containing HIGH RISK specimen.
  • For best results, please send samples on the day they are taken. However, samples are stable at ambient temperature for 7 days.
     

The assay

Infection with SARS-CoV-2, an RNA virus, is diagnosed using reverse-transcriptase real-time PCR. The assays used at TDL show a minimum sensitivity of 98% and a specificity of 100%, with no cross-reactivity with other viruses.

 

Image: CDC/ Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAMS

 

Specimens

  • SST/Serum
    • Capillary self collection can be used for the Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S and Roche Elecsys  Anti-SARS-CoV-2 assays.
  • Testing should be undertaken 14 days or more following exposure, onset of symptoms, or post-vaccination.
  • For best results, please send samples on the day they are taken. However, samples are stable at ambient temperature for 7 days.
     

The assays

TDL offers 4 assays for the detection of antibodies targeted against SARS-CoV-2:

  • Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S (Spike) – spike protein, quantitative, total antibodies
  • Roche Elecsys  Anti-SARS-CoV-2 – nucleocapsid (N) protein, qualitiative, total antibodies
  • Abbott Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgG – nucleocapsid protein, qualitiative, IgG antibodies
  • Abbott Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgM – spike protein, qualitiative, IgM antibodies

COVID-19 information

Test information

SARS-CoV-2 Rapid RNA Sequencing

The Doctors Laboratory is offering a rapid sequencing service for samples previously identified as SARS-CoV-2 positive. This service is avaiable to both NHS and Independent sector laboratories.

Read more

Contact us

To discuss these tests, please contact:

Annette Wilkinson, The Doctors Laboratory, The Halo Building,1 Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9AX

Tel: +44 (0)20 7307 7373  E-mail: tdl@tdlpathology.com