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
Background overviews of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19
- The virus
- Transmission
- Infection and symptoms
- Clinical characteristics
- Immune response
- Variants
- Testing
- Sequalae
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.
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