Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Test Information for Clinicians, Hospitals, and Labs

 
Page updated May 9, 2023Linkedin     Email

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Viral detection testing is recommended for COVID-19 diagnosis. Testing decisions should be based on local epidemiology, clinical signs and symptoms, and the course of the illness. Antibody testing can be used to evaluate exposure to SARS-CoV-2 but is not recommended for the diagnosis of acute illness. Detailed information about COVID-19, including testing recommendations, can be found in the ARUP Consult® COVID-19 - SARS-CoV-2 topic.

ARUP COVID-19 Testing

ARUP offers nucleic acid amplification (NAA) testing for the diagnosis of current COVID-19 infection and two immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody tests (targeting spike and nucleocapsid proteins, respectively) to evaluate individuals for exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

 

Diagnostic Testing

Diagnostic Tests

ARUP’s NAA test for SARS-CoV-2 is designed to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in respiratory specimens. Detailed information about ARUP’s SARS-CoV-2 by NAA test, including methodology, results reporting, and test performance, can be found in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions.

Antibody Testing

Antibody Tests

ARUP’s COVID-19 serology assays are designed to detect IgG antibodies that bind to SARS-CoV-2. Detailed information about ARUP’s COVID-19 IgG tests, including antibody target, methodology, and results reporting can be found below.

COVID-19 IgG, Qualitative by CIA
(Target: Nucleocapsid Protein)

Test: COVID-19 IgG, Qualitative by CIA (3002776)
Use for the qualitative detection of IgG antibodies against the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 that develop in response to natural infection with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). These antibodies do not develop as a result of a COVID-19 vaccination. This chemiluminescent immunoassay (CIA), developed by Abbott and performed on the Architect platform, is reported as negative or positive. There are no current recommendations for assessing COVID-19 vaccine response.

COVID-19 IgG, Semi-Quantitative by CIA
(Target: Spike Protein)

Test: COVID-19 IgG, Semi-Quantitative by CIA (3003648)
Use for the detection of IgG antibodies against the spike protein (S1) of SARS-CoV-2 that develop in response to natural infection with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) or from a COVID-19 vaccination. This semiquantitative chemiluminescent immunoassay (CIA), developed by Siemens and performed on the ADVIA Centaur XPT platform, is reported as negative or positive and includes an index value. The American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) does not recommend the use of serology for assessing COVID-19 vaccine response.

Antibody test results should not be used as the sole criterion to confirm or rule out SARS-CoV-2 infection or to assess infection status. Negative results do not exclude infection with SARS-CoV-2, especially in individuals with known exposure to the virus. Follow-up molecular diagnostic testing should be considered in those with recent exposure to COVID-19. Immunocompromised patients infected with COVID-19 may have a delayed antibody response or antibody levels that are too low to result in a positive test. COVID-19 serology tests are not for use in screening donated blood.

Additional information on COVID-19 serology testing can be found in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions.

Related Testing

Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia

A rare syndrome of unusual thrombotic events with thrombocytopenia has been reported in a small number of patients following receipt of two SARS-CoV-2 vaccines (AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson/Janssen). For more information, please refer to the Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Testing section in the ARUP Consult COVID-19 - SARS-CoV-2 topic.

Clinical Resources

Testing Guidance

Specimen Collection

For specimen requirements, refer to the laboratory test directory:

Before sending orders for COVID-19 NAA testing:

Additional Resources

Recent Updates

February 2, 2022
ARUP Expert: Research Into T-Cell Response May Hold a Key to Understanding Long-Term Immunity to COVID-19

Decision Support

ARUP provides Consult as a resource to hospital and laboratory clients, healthcare providers, and patients at no cost.