Serology testing in the COVID-19 pandemic response

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Public Health

Background:

• Global health disparities limited access to molecular diagnostics during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Hesitancy in using rapid immunodiagnostic tests stemmed from limited understanding of immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for research into the utility of serology tests in resource-limited settings.
• To encourage the use of serology tests for specific public health applications in COVID-19 response.

Main Methods:

• Review of current knowledge on viral infectivity and host immune response.
• Identification of research priorities by the WHO R&D Blueprint expert group.

Main Results:

• Rapid serology tests are commercially available and scalable.
• The WHO R&D Blueprint highlights rapid point-of-care diagnostics as a top priority.

Conclusions:

• Countries lacking molecular testing capacity should research serology tests for patient triage, contact tracing, and surveillance.
• Effective implementation of serology tests can significantly enhance public health control measures for COVID-19.