Title: Advancing SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Detection: Bridging Sensitivity and Accessibility
Abstract:
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has highlighted the need for affordable and rapid serological tests to improve diagnostic reliability and assess immune status. Conventional laboratory techniques like the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), while sensitive, are costly, time-consuming, and require trained personnel. In response, the development of the lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) offers a cost-effective, user-friendly alternative, providing results in just 10-30 minutes. However, this assay suffers from decreased sensitivity and selectivity, and is not quantitative. Therefore, there is still a significant knowledge gap that needs to be addressed to bridge the sensitivity of traditional methods with the accessibility of the LFIA.