Stating that antibody tests are used for screening and detecting community immunity, Yeditepe University Hospitals  Medical Microbiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Aynur Eren Topkaya said, “There are multiple test methods that detect antibodies against the SARS and CoV-2 virus, which are the causative agents of COVID-19 disease.”

 
Giving information about the tests, Prof. Dr. Topkaya made the following statements, “Tests known as quick test or card test work with the immunochromatographic method. This test can be used on a drop of blood taken from a fingertip or a vein. Fast results are one of the advantages of these tests. However, their sensitivity is low. The sensitivity of the tests used with ELISA or chemiluminescence methods is higher. These tests take longer to result.”

Stating that the positive antibody test means that the person has encountered the virus, Prof. Dr. Topkaya said, “Antibody tests become positive after a certain period after encountering the virus. Since these tests are more practical to apply compared to molecular tests, they may also be more useful in monitoring the pandemic. Molecular tests (PCR) give an idea about the stage of the disease.”

Prof. Dr. Topkaya said, “If the antibody test result is negative, it can be said that the person has not yet encountered the virus or is in the incubation period or is in the asymptomatic period. If both the antibody test result and the molecular test (PCR) are positive, it can be said that the person has an active infection. If the antibody test result is positive and the molecular test (PCR) is negative, it can be said that the person has undergone the disease and has gained immunity. If the antibody test result is negative and the molecular test (PCR) is positive, it can be said that the person is in the incubation period.”