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. 2022 Feb;102(2):115561.
doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2021.115561. Epub 2021 Oct 11.

Importance of anti-SARS-CoV-2 assay antigenic composition as revealed by the results of the Belgian external quality assessment (EQA) scheme

Alena Moerman  1 , Kris Vernelen  2 , Bernard China  2 , Arnaud Capron  2 , Dorien Van Den Bossche  3 , Joachim Mariën  4 , Kevin K Ariën  5 , Jos Van Acker  6 , Marie-Luce Delforge  7 , Marijke Reynders  8 , An Boel  9 , Melissa Depypere  10 , Natasja Van Gasse  11 , Sara Vijgen  12 , Jonathan Brauner  13 , Barbara Dujardin  13 , Elizaveta Padalko  14
Affiliations

Importance of anti-SARS-CoV-2 assay antigenic composition as revealed by the results of the Belgian external quality assessment (EQA) scheme

Alena Moerman et al. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

We report on sample IS/17575 since it generated highly divergent results in the Belgian SARS-CoV-2 serology external quality assessment scheme. Sample IS/17575 was serum originating from a 30 years old male patient. 124 diagnostic laboratories analysed this sample. A total of 168 results was returned (including 5 doubles). Overall, 38 were positive. All tests against S1 were positive except the Euroimmun IgG ELISA and the Ortho clinical Diagnostics VITROS IgG CLIA. All tests against S1/S2 (Liaison, Diasorin) resulted in a signal above cutoff. Assays against RBD, mostly generate a negative result. An exception are the Wantai SARS-CoV-2 ELISA's. All tests targeting N protein were negative. The survey shows, when >6 months post-infection, assays targeting at least S1, and preferably S1 combined with S2, are the most sensitive. This finding accentuates the necessity of external quality assessment schedules and importance of antigenic composition of serologic SARS-CoV-2 assays.

Keywords: Nucleocapsid protein; SARS-CoV-2; Spike protein; external quality assessment scheme; receptor-binding domain; serology.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest The author stated that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig. 1
Graphic representation of the number of positive, borderline and negative results, recovered from the EQA (sample IS/17575), stratified per antigen.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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