Science Saturday: Antibody testing, in pictures
Convalescent plasma therapy for the treatment of COVID-19 virus infection is based on the function of antibodies, tiny proteins created by the immune system, that combat invaders to the body in a variety of ways. Some are capable of neutralizing a virus, while others work by mobilizing a range of other immune cells that fight off disease.
A type of serologic test known as ELISA is used to determine if the blood does actually contain antibodies specific to the virus. Blood is collected from patients who had a PCR test to diagnose their illness as COVID-19. The blood is processed through a machine that collects the plasma, since that is where the antibodies are found, and returns the blood cells to the patient.
Read the rest of the article on Discovery's Edge.
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