Thai researchers at the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) and the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS) have successfully developed a COVID-19 antibody test kit, which was proven to have high rates of sensitivity and specificity, according to Dr. Peera Jaruampornpan, head of the virology and cell technology at BIOTEC.

Dr. Peera said that the antibody or serology test kits, using the ELISA technique, used to detect and quantify soluble substances such as peptides, proteins, antibodies, and hormones, are now being administered to about 1,000 medics in cooperation with the Faculty of Medicine of Thammasat University.

Coronavirus antibody tests are done to detect the presence of antibodies in the blood which have developed to fight the virus.  A positive antibody test presumably means that a person was infected at some point in the past. A positive result does not, however, indicate that a person currently has a coronavirus infection.

The testing process involves taking blood from the tip of a finger. The test can detect two types of antibodies in the body, namely immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG).

lgM is the first antibody the body produces to fight the virus during the initial infection. It is the first line of defence against real infection before the body creates other antibodies.

IgG is found in blood and other bodily fluids. It takes some time to build up after infection or vaccination.