hopemax
Well-Known Member
More on antibodies, and serology studies.
Apparently, when dealing with viruses, there are different proteins that can be measured in terms of antibody response. The "N" protein and the spike protein. With COVID-19 what do we normally hear about, which one are the vaccines targeting? The spike protein. What are the 2 primary antibody tests (Roche & Abbott) looking for? The "N" protein. The "N" protein is the antibody response that might be decaying, and freaking some people out about not having long-lasting immunity. Apparently, the Mt. Sinai NYC serology study was using a different antibody test that looks for the spike protein. So spike antibody tests do exist, they just probably should be used more.
So what might this mean? For the general population, more people might actually have had the virus. Yes, really, lol, so be prepared for a return of the "everybody has had it," debates, lol. People's N antibodies might be low or decayed and register a false negative. But more importantly, the worry about losing immunity based on these antibody tests really might not mean anything, because a spike based test would show the antibody reaction is still present and strong. For viral immunity in general, the more powerful, virus busting antibodies are the spike ones, so those are the ones we really need to be looking for. To quote Indiana Jones and Salah, we need to make sure we're not "digging in the wrong place."
Apparently, when dealing with viruses, there are different proteins that can be measured in terms of antibody response. The "N" protein and the spike protein. With COVID-19 what do we normally hear about, which one are the vaccines targeting? The spike protein. What are the 2 primary antibody tests (Roche & Abbott) looking for? The "N" protein. The "N" protein is the antibody response that might be decaying, and freaking some people out about not having long-lasting immunity. Apparently, the Mt. Sinai NYC serology study was using a different antibody test that looks for the spike protein. So spike antibody tests do exist, they just probably should be used more.
So what might this mean? For the general population, more people might actually have had the virus. Yes, really, lol, so be prepared for a return of the "everybody has had it," debates, lol. People's N antibodies might be low or decayed and register a false negative. But more importantly, the worry about losing immunity based on these antibody tests really might not mean anything, because a spike based test would show the antibody reaction is still present and strong. For viral immunity in general, the more powerful, virus busting antibodies are the spike ones, so those are the ones we really need to be looking for. To quote Indiana Jones and Salah, we need to make sure we're not "digging in the wrong place."
Your Coronavirus Antibodies Are Disappearing. Should You Care? (Published 2020)
Declining antibody levels do not mean less immunity, experts say. Besides, two widely used tests may detect the wrong antibodies.
www.nytimes.com