Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Sign In

26555 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Spike Antibody, Semi-Quantitative, Serum (COVSQ)

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Spike Antibody, Semi-Quantitative, Serum (COVSQ)
Test Code: COVSQSO
Synonyms/Keywords

​Coronavirus; Coronavirus Ab; Coronavirus antibody; COVID-19 Ab; COVID-19; COVID-19 antibody; SARS CoV-2 Ab; SARS CoV-2; SARS CoV-2 antibody; COVID​

Useful For

Aiding in the identification of individuals with an adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2, indicating prior infection or vaccination

Manufacture of COVID-19 convalescent plasma

Specimen Requirements

Specimen TypePreferred Container/TubeAcceptable Container/TubeSpecimen VolumeSpecimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
​Serum
​Serum Separator Tube
​Red Top Tube
​1 mL
​0.75 mL 
Collection Processing Instructions

​Necessary Information: Patient's race and ethnicity, as well as collection date, are required.

Specimen Stability Information
Specimen TypeTemperatureTime

​​Serum
​​
​​
​Refrigerated (preferred)
​14 days
​Frozen
​28 days
​Ambient
​72 hours
Rejection Criteria

Gross Hemolysis

Interference

The sensitivity of Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 test in early infection is unknown. Negative results do not preclude SARS-CoV-2 infections. If an acute infection is suspected, direct testing for SARS-CoV-2 virus is necessary.

False-positive results for Roche Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG test may occur due to cross-reactivity from pre-existing antibodies or other possible causes.

It is not known at this time if the presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 confers immunity to re-infection.

In rare cases, interference due to extremely high titers of antibodies to analyte-specific antibodies, streptavidin, or ruthenium can occur.

Serum biotin concentrations up to 1200 ng/mL do not interfere with this assay. Extremely high concentrations of biotin in patient serum due to heavy administration or supplementation of biotin may falsely depress Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection.

In rare cases, some individuals can develop antibodies to mouse or other animal antibodies (often referred to as human antimouse antibodies [HAMA] or heterophile antibodies), which may cause interference in some immunoassays. The presence of antibodies to streptavidin or ruthenium rarely occur and may also interfere with this assay. Caution should be used in interpretation of results, and the laboratory should be alerted if the result does not correlate with the clinical presentation.

Performing Laboratory Information
Performing LocationDay(s) Test PerformedReport Available
Methodology/Instrumentation
​​Mayo Clinic Laboratories
​Monday through Saturday
​1 to 3 days
​Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA)
Reference Lab
Test Information

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus of the family Coronaviridae, genus Betacoronavirus. All coronaviruses share similarities in the organization and expression of their genome, which encodes 16 nonstructural proteins and the 4 structural proteins: spike (S), envelope (E), membrane (M), and nucleocapsid (N).

Results are for the semiquantitative detection of total antibodies (without differentiation between immunoglobulin classes) against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, specifically against the receptor binding domain). Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 are detectable in over 90% of patients by 2 weeks after symptom onset or vaccination. While antiviral antibodies remain for at least 3 to 4 months postinfection, the long-term duration for antibodies continues to be defined. Patients may have detectable virus present for several weeks following seroconversion.

Reference Range Information

An interpretative report will be provided.​

Interpretation

This assay provides qualitative and semi-quantitative results for the presence of antibodies to the receptor binding domain on the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. Both vaccine and active infection can stimulate antibodies against this domain.

Negative:

No antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein detected. Negative results may occur in serum collected too soon following infection or vaccination, in immunosuppressed patients, or in patients with mild or asymptomatic infection. This test does not rule out active or recent COVID-19 infection or vaccination. Follow-up testing with a molecular test for SARS-CoV-2 is recommended in symptomatic patients.

Positive:

Antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein detected. These results suggest recent or prior SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination. Antibody levels greater than or equal to 0.80 U/mL are considered positive by this assay. No minimum antibody level or threshold has been established to indicate long-term protective immunity against re-infection. Serologic results should not be used to diagnose recent SARS-CoV-2 infection. False-positive results for IgG antibodies may occur due to cross-reactivity from pre-existing antibodies or other possible causes.

For the manufacture of COVID-19 convalescent plasma using the Roche Diagnostics anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike electro-chemiluminescence immunoassays, per current US Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization guidelines, high-titer convalescent plasma is defined as plasma units with a semi-quantitative value of 132 U/mL and above (see appendix A: www.fda.gov/media/141477/download).

Outreach CPTs
CPTModifier
(if needed)
QuantityDescriptionComments

​86769
​1​
Synonyms/Keywords

​Coronavirus; Coronavirus Ab; Coronavirus antibody; COVID-19 Ab; COVID-19; COVID-19 antibody; SARS CoV-2 Ab; SARS CoV-2; SARS CoV-2 antibody; COVID​

Ordering Applications
Ordering ApplicationDescription

​Cerner
​​SARS-CoV-2, Spike Antibody (COVSQ)
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements

Specimen TypePreferred Container/TubeAcceptable Container/TubeSpecimen VolumeSpecimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
​Serum
​Serum Separator Tube
​Red Top Tube
​1 mL
​0.75 mL 
Collection Processing

​Necessary Information: Patient's race and ethnicity, as well as collection date, are required.

Specimen Stability Information
Specimen TypeTemperatureTime

​​Serum
​​
​​
​Refrigerated (preferred)
​14 days
​Frozen
​28 days
​Ambient
​72 hours
Rejection Criteria

Gross Hemolysis

Interference

The sensitivity of Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 test in early infection is unknown. Negative results do not preclude SARS-CoV-2 infections. If an acute infection is suspected, direct testing for SARS-CoV-2 virus is necessary.

False-positive results for Roche Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG test may occur due to cross-reactivity from pre-existing antibodies or other possible causes.

It is not known at this time if the presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 confers immunity to re-infection.

In rare cases, interference due to extremely high titers of antibodies to analyte-specific antibodies, streptavidin, or ruthenium can occur.

Serum biotin concentrations up to 1200 ng/mL do not interfere with this assay. Extremely high concentrations of biotin in patient serum due to heavy administration or supplementation of biotin may falsely depress Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection.

In rare cases, some individuals can develop antibodies to mouse or other animal antibodies (often referred to as human antimouse antibodies [HAMA] or heterophile antibodies), which may cause interference in some immunoassays. The presence of antibodies to streptavidin or ruthenium rarely occur and may also interfere with this assay. Caution should be used in interpretation of results, and the laboratory should be alerted if the result does not correlate with the clinical presentation.

Useful For

Aiding in the identification of individuals with an adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2, indicating prior infection or vaccination

Manufacture of COVID-19 convalescent plasma

Reference Range Information

An interpretative report will be provided.​

Interpretation

This assay provides qualitative and semi-quantitative results for the presence of antibodies to the receptor binding domain on the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. Both vaccine and active infection can stimulate antibodies against this domain.

Negative:

No antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein detected. Negative results may occur in serum collected too soon following infection or vaccination, in immunosuppressed patients, or in patients with mild or asymptomatic infection. This test does not rule out active or recent COVID-19 infection or vaccination. Follow-up testing with a molecular test for SARS-CoV-2 is recommended in symptomatic patients.

Positive:

Antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein detected. These results suggest recent or prior SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination. Antibody levels greater than or equal to 0.80 U/mL are considered positive by this assay. No minimum antibody level or threshold has been established to indicate long-term protective immunity against re-infection. Serologic results should not be used to diagnose recent SARS-CoV-2 infection. False-positive results for IgG antibodies may occur due to cross-reactivity from pre-existing antibodies or other possible causes.

For the manufacture of COVID-19 convalescent plasma using the Roche Diagnostics anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike electro-chemiluminescence immunoassays, per current US Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization guidelines, high-titer convalescent plasma is defined as plasma units with a semi-quantitative value of 132 U/mL and above (see appendix A: www.fda.gov/media/141477/download).

For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing LocationDay(s) Test PerformedReport Available
Methodology/Instrumentation
​​Mayo Clinic Laboratories
​Monday through Saturday
​1 to 3 days
​Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA)
Reference Lab
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPTModifier
(if needed)
QuantityDescriptionComments

​86769
​1​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.