Comparison of anti‐nucleocapsid antibody assays for the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron vaccine breakthroughs after various intervals since the infection

• DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29229
• Publication Date: 2023-11-03T12:25:03Z
• Authors: David Niklas Spri...; Elisabeth Reuberger; Christian Borsodi; Elisabeth Puchham...; Lukas Weseslindtner
• Keywords: 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Antibody response

Abstract Antibody assays with the nucleocapsid (NC) protein as target antigen can identify severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infections when polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses are unavailable. Regarding kinetics of NC‐specific antibodies, vaccine breakthroughs Omicron subvariants may differ from ancestral wild‐type virus. Therefore, we evaluated which have highest sensitivity for detecting antibodies after various intervals since breakthrough an subvariant. The study included 279 samples vaccinated subjects who experienced PCR‐confirmed between 21 and 266 days before sampling. were comparatively assessed Elecsys® Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 N (Roche), Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2‐NCP‐ELISA (Euroimmun), recomLine SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG (Mikrogen), ViraChip (Viramed). In whole cohort, assay displayed (93%, p < 0.0001), followed by (70%), (41%) (35%). Although measured antibody levels time‐dependent sensitivities differed, extent decrease was similar among all assays. As demonstrated this study, manufacturer‐dependent differences in should be considered serology is applied to link previous potential post‐COVID sequelae.