Dynamic analysis of IgM and IgG antibody in asymptomatic patients as a
more effective way to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection
Abstract
Background:COVID-19 has become a global epidemic, close contacts and
asymptomatic patients are worthy of attention. Methods:A total of 1844
people in close contact with 76 COVID-19 patients were investigated, and
nasopharyngeal swabs and venous blood were collected for centralized
medical quarantine observation. Real-time fluorescence used to detect
2019-nCoV nucleic acid in nasopharyngeal swabs of all close contacts,
and colloidal gold method used to detect serum specific antibodies.
Levels of IgM and IgG specific antibodies were detected quantitatively
through chemiluminescence from the first nucleic acid negative date (0
wk) within weekly periods of:1, 1-2, 2-3, and 6-7 weeks. Results:The
total positive rate of the colloidal gold method (88.5%,23/26) was
significantly higher (χ2=59.182,P< 0.001) than that of the
healthy control group (2.0%, 1/50). There was significant difference in
IgG concentration at different time points (0-7week) after nucleic acid
turned negative (χ2=14.034,P=0.029). Serum IgG levels were significantly
higher within weekly timepoints 4-5 wk(Z=-2.399, P=0.016), 5-6
wk(Z=-2.049,P=0.040), and 6-7 wk(Z=-2.197,P=0.028), compared to 1-2 wk
after nucleic acid negative conversion. However, there was no
significant difference (χ2=4.936,P=0.552) in IgM concentration between
timepoints tested (0-7 weeks) after nucleic acid conversion. The
positive rates of IgM and IgG in asymptomatic patients
(χ2=84.660,P<0.001) were significantly higher than the
controls (χ2=9.201,P=0.002) within 7 weeks of nucleic acid negative
conversion. Conclusions: The IgG concentration in asymptomatic cases
remained at a high level after nucleic acid turned negative. Nucleic
acid combined with IgM and IgG antibody detection is a more effective
way to screen asymptomatic infections.