Subscribe to Newsletter
Diagnostics COVID-19, Microbiology and immunology, Hematology

Identifying SARS-CoV-2 Plasma Donors: An Alternative Assay

Convalescent plasma therapy is under consideration for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, but finding suitable donors by measuring SARS-CoV-2 virus-neutralizing (VN) antibodies in the blood presents a challenge. The technique is complicated, labor-intensive, and restricted to biosafety level 3 laboratories. Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and Houston Methodist recognized the need for a different approach and used accessible, easy-to-use ELISA to measure the relationship between anti-spike ectodomain (ECD), anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG titers, and SARS-CoV-2 VN titers (1).

Testing 2,814 plasma samples from asymptomatic adults, they found a strong positive correlation between anti-RBD and anti-ECD IgG titers and VN antibody levels at or above the FDA-recommended levels recommended for COVID-19 convalescent plasma. As viable alternatives to VN titers, these assays could enable more widespread identification of suitable convalescent plasma donors.

Receive content, products, events as well as relevant industry updates from The Pathologist and its sponsors.
Stay up to date with our other newsletters and sponsors information, tailored specifically to the fields you are interested in

When you click “Subscribe” we will email you a link, which you must click to verify the email address above and activate your subscription. If you do not receive this email, please contact us at [email protected].
If you wish to unsubscribe, you can update your preferences at any point.

  1. E Salazar et al., J Clin Invest, [ePub ahead of print] (2020). PMID: 32910806.
About the Author
Liv Gaskill

During my undergraduate degree in psychology and Master’s in neuroimaging for clinical and cognitive neuroscience, I realized the tasks my classmates found tedious – writing essays, editing, proofreading – were the ones that gave me the greatest satisfaction. I quickly gathered that rambling on about science in the bar wasn’t exactly riveting for my non-scientist friends, so my thoughts turned to a career in science writing. At Texere, I get to craft science into stories, interact with international experts, and engage with readers who love science just as much as I do.

Register to The Pathologist

Register to access our FREE online portfolio, request the magazine in print and manage your preferences.

You will benefit from:
  • Unlimited access to ALL articles
  • News, interviews & opinions from leading industry experts
  • Receive print (and PDF) copies of The Pathologist magazine

Register