Potential Microfluidic Devices for COVID-19 Antibody Detection at Point-of-Care (POC): A Review

Area of Science:

• Immunology and Virology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates accurate diagnostics beyond genetic material detection.
• Antibody testing is vital for population stratification (never exposed, infected, immune).
• Stratification is key for safe societal reopening and economic recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection and surveillance technologies.
• To discuss the limitations of existing antibody testing methods.
• To highlight microfluidic sensors for low-resource and point-of-care antibody detection.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of diagnostic and surveillance technologies for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
• Analysis of current antibody testing methodologies and their shortcomings.
• Exploration of microfluidic sensor technologies for antibody detection.

Main Results:

• Current genetic tests assess active infection but not immunity.
• Antibody tests are essential for determining past exposure and immunity.
• Microfluidic sensors show potential for rapid, low-cost, point-of-care antibody quantification.

Conclusions:

• Accurate SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing is critical for public health strategies.
• Existing methods have limitations in accessibility and scalability.
• Microfluidic devices offer a promising avenue for widespread antibody surveillance and diagnostics.