<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Serological testing can be a powerful complementary approach to achieve timely diagnosis of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, along with nucleic acid detection. Immunoglobulin (Ig) A antibodies are less frequently utilized to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection than IgM and IgG antibodies, even though IgA antibodies play an important role in protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2. This review discusses the differences in kinetics and assay performance between IgA and IgM antibodies and the factors influencing antibody responses. It highlights the potential usefulness of analyzing IgA antibodies for the early detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The early appearance of IgA and the high sensitivity of IgA-based immunoassays can aid in diagnosing coronavirus disease 2019. However, because of cross-reactivity, it is important to recognize the only moderate specificity of the early detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgA antibodies against spike antigens. Either the analysis of antibodies targeting the nucleocapsid antigen or a combination of antibodies against the nucleocapsid and spike antigens may strengthen the accuracy of serological evaluation.</p>
</abstract>

Serological testing can be a powerful complementary approach to achieve timely diagnosis of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, along with nucleic acid detection. Immunoglobulin (Ig) A antibodies are less frequently utilized to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection than IgM and IgG antibodies, even though IgA antibodies play an important role in protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2. This review discusses the differences in kinetics and assay performance between IgA and IgM antibodies and the factors influencing antibody responses. It highlights the potential usefulness of analyzing IgA antibodies for the early detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The early appearance of IgA and the high sensitivity of IgA-based immunoassays can aid in diagnosing coronavirus disease 2019. However, because of cross-reactivity, it is important to recognize the only moderate specificity of the early detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgA antibodies against spike antigens. Either the analysis of antibodies targeting the nucleocapsid antigen or a combination of antibodies against the nucleocapsid and spike antigens may strengthen the accuracy of serological evaluation.

Potential Usefulness of IgA for the Early Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Comparison With IgM

Polish Journal of Microbiology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Serological testing can be a powerful complementary approach to achieve timely diagnosis of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection,...

Potential Usefulness of IgA for the Early Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Comparison With IgM

Article Category: Minireview

Published Online: Jun 20, 2024

Page range: 123 - 130

Received: Feb 29, 2024

Accepted: Apr 22, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33073/pjm-2024-019

Keywords
early detection, IgA isotype, kinetics of antibodies, SARS-CoV-2, serological test

© 2024 Pei Wang, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Potential Usefulness of IgA for the Early Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Comparison With IgM

Article Category: Minireview

Published Online: Jun 20, 2024

Page range: 123 - 130

Received: Feb 29, 2024

Accepted: Apr 22, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33073/pjm-2024-019

Keywordsearly detection, IgA isotype, kinetics of antibodies, SARS-CoV-2, serological test

© 2024 Pei Wang, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
early detection, IgA isotype, kinetics of antibodies, SARS-CoV-2, serological test