Corona tests. To clear up confusion.
PCR test | Tests for CURRENT INFECTION by detecting virus genetic material.
Antigen test | Tests for CURRENT INFECTION by detecting virus protein.
Antibody test | Tests for HISTORIC INFECTION by detecting human immune system protein.
PCR test | Tests for CURRENT INFECTION by detecting virus genetic material.
Antigen test | Tests for CURRENT INFECTION by detecting virus protein.
Antibody test | Tests for HISTORIC INFECTION by detecting human immune system protein.
PCR test | Nasal swab. Is viral genetic material on the swab? High throughout, sensitive. Superior to antigen test.
Antibody test | Blood spot ‘home kit’. Does your blood contain proteins that would only be there if you’d had the virus? Easy to administer, not yet robust.
Antibody test | Blood spot ‘home kit’. Does your blood contain proteins that would only be there if you’d had the virus? Easy to administer, not yet robust.
PCR test | Viral DNA will not be present if you have cleared the virus. Therefore, it cannot detect historic infection.
Antibody test | It takes a few weeks for your body to produce enough protein to be detectable in a blood spot. Therefore, it cannot detect current infection.
Antibody test | It takes a few weeks for your body to produce enough protein to be detectable in a blood spot. Therefore, it cannot detect current infection.
Some biology.
Antigen | A protein recognised as ‘foreign’ (say, one coating a virus) and triggering an immune response.
Antibody | A protein called an immunoglobulin (Ig) that forms part of a body’s immune response. They come in several types. Hence you’ll hear IgG, IgM...
Antigen | A protein recognised as ‘foreign’ (say, one coating a virus) and triggering an immune response.
Antibody | A protein called an immunoglobulin (Ig) that forms part of a body’s immune response. They come in several types. Hence you’ll hear IgG, IgM...
Antigens and antibodies stick together.
You can detect an antigen by trying to bind the antibody that developed to fight it.
You can detect an antibody by trying to bind the antigen it fights.
Yin yang.
You can detect an antigen by trying to bind the antibody that developed to fight it.
You can detect an antibody by trying to bind the antigen it fights.
Yin yang.
To make some parallels with known tests.
PCR test | Test for genetic anomalies in pregnancy. Small amounts of fetal genetic material are detected.
Antigen test | Prostate cancer test. A prostate protein is detected using ‘coloured antibodies’ that flag its presence.
PCR test | Test for genetic anomalies in pregnancy. Small amounts of fetal genetic material are detected.
Antigen test | Prostate cancer test. A prostate protein is detected using ‘coloured antibodies’ that flag its presence.
Antibody test | Rubella screening in pregnancy. Antibodies in blood (from previous infection, therefore woman is immune) are detected by ‘coloured rubella antigens’.
More biology.
Vaccine | The deliberate introduction of antigen/s into a person, such that they generate antibodies to fight it. Thus, if they meet with the antigen on an infectious virus particle or bacteria, they are primed to nip it in the bud.
Vaccines are good.
Vaccine | The deliberate introduction of antigen/s into a person, such that they generate antibodies to fight it. Thus, if they meet with the antigen on an infectious virus particle or bacteria, they are primed to nip it in the bud.
Vaccines are good.
And final.
Surreal to hear general public talk about ‘PCR’.
It’s a technique that changed the face of biology (with a Nobel to show for it).
It is also a technique that makes you rip your hair out in frustration on a daily basis ;)
Surreal to hear general public talk about ‘PCR’.
It’s a technique that changed the face of biology (with a Nobel to show for it).
It is also a technique that makes you rip your hair out in frustration on a daily basis ;)
