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HAT-field: a cheap, robust and quantitative Point-of-care serological test for Covid-19
Etienne Joly1, Agnès Maurel Ribes2
1CNRS, Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology (IPBS), University of Toulouse, Toulouse 31000, France.
Biology Methods & Protocols
|December 2, 2022
Summary
A new, simplified haemagglutination test (HAT-field) quantifies SARS-CoV-2 antibodies from finger-prick blood. This low-cost, single-reagent method offers rapid, accessible serological assessment for individuals and populations globally.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- The SARS-CoV-2 virus poses a significant global health challenge.
- Accurate and accessible antibody detection is crucial for understanding population immunity.
- Existing serological tests may require complex procedures or specialized equipment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize the haemagglutination test (HAT) into a field-deployable protocol (HAT-field).
- To enable quantitative assessment of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD).
- To develop a rapid, low-cost diagnostic tool for serological surveillance.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a single recombinant protein reagent (IH4-RBD) for haemagglutination.
- Developed a quantitative assay using titration of the IH4-RBD reagent.
- Employed a small volume of whole blood (finger prick) and simple disposable equipment.
Main Results:
- HAT-field allows quantitative assessment of antibody levels in a single step.
- The test requires only microliters of blood and minimal equipment.
- The IH4-RBD reagent demonstrates stability in an adapted buffer.
Conclusions:
- HAT-field is a simplified, quantitative method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
- The test's low cost, simplicity, and adaptability make it suitable for global deployment, including resource-limited settings.
- This assay can assess individual and population serological protection against SARS-CoV-2 and potentially other pathogens.
