Evaluation of a New Spike (S)-Protein-Based Commercial Immunoassay for the Detection of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG

Kirsten Alexandra Eberhardt; Felix Dewald; Eva Heger; Lutz Gieselmann; Kanika Vanshylla; Maike Wirtz; Franziska Kleipass; Wibke Johannis; Philipp Schommers; Henning Gruell; Karl August Brensing; Roman-Ulrich Müller; Max Augustin; Clara Lehmann; Manuel Koch; Florian Klein; Veronica Di Cristanziano

doi:10.3390/microorganisms9040733

Microorganisms (Mar 2021)

Evaluation of a New Spike (S)-Protein-Based Commercial Immunoassay for the Detection of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG

Kirsten Alexandra Eberhardt,
Felix Dewald,
Eva Heger,
Lutz Gieselmann,
Kanika Vanshylla,
Maike Wirtz,
Franziska Kleipass,
Wibke Johannis,
Philipp Schommers,
Henning Gruell,
Karl August Brensing,
Roman-Ulrich Müller,
Max Augustin,
Clara Lehmann,
Manuel Koch,
Florian Klein,
Veronica Di Cristanziano

Affiliations

Kirsten Alexandra Eberhardt: Department of Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine & I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
Felix Dewald: Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
Eva Heger: Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
Lutz Gieselmann: Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
Kanika Vanshylla: Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
Maike Wirtz: Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
Franziska Kleipass: Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
Wibke Johannis: Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
Philipp Schommers: Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
Henning Gruell: Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
Karl August Brensing: Nierenzentrum Bonn, Godesberger Allee 26, 53175 Bonn, Germany
Roman-Ulrich Müller: Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
Max Augustin: Department I of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
Clara Lehmann: Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
Manuel Koch: Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
Florian Klein: Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany
Veronica Di Cristanziano: Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50935 Cologne, Germany

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9040733
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9, no. 4
p. 733

Abstract

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Background: The investigation of the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 represents a key aspect in facing the COVID-19 pandemic. In the present study, we compared the new Immundiagnostik IDK® anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1 IgG assay with four widely-used commercial serological assays for the detection of antibodies targeting S (spike) and NC (nucleocapsid) proteins. Methods: Serum samples were taken from an unbiased group of convalescent patients and from a negative control group. Sample were simultaneously analyzed by the new Immundiagnostik IDK® anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1 IgG assay, by the DiaSorin LIAISON® SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG assay, and by the Euroimmun anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1 IgG ELISA. Antibodies binding NC were detected by the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay and by the pan-immunoglobulin immunoassay Roche Elecsys® anti-SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, we investigated samples of a group of COVID-19 convalescent subjects that were primarily tested S1 IgG non-reactive. Samples were also tested by live virus and pseudovirus neutralization tests. Results: Overall, the IDK® anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1 IgG assay showed the highest sensitivity among the evaluated spike (S) protein-based assays. Additionally, the Immundiagnostik assay correlated well with serum-neutralizing activity. Conclusions: The novel IDK® anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1 IgG assay showed high sensitivity and specificity, representing a valid option for use in the routine diagnostic.

Published in Microorganisms

ISSN: 2076-2607 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General)
Website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/microorganisms

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