COVID-19 antibody test detects COVID-19 ( SARS-CoV-2 virus) antibodies in a blood sample. The presence of antibodies indicates past infection in the person. It also indicates a level of immunity against the reinfection from the virus.
COVID-19 antibody test is not a diagnostic test. It does not detect the present infection. In case of symptoms, a person should consult a Doctor which may suggest an RT-PCR or antigen test for diagnosis.
Contents
- 1 COVID-19 Antibody Test: Basics
- 1.1 Antibody Test Purpose
- 1.2 Eligibility
- 1.3 Technicals Parameters
- 1.4 Antibody Testing Data
- 1.5 COVID-19 Antibody Test Kit
- 2 COVID-19 Antibody test Price
- 2.1 Lab wise COVID-19 antibody test prices
- 3 City Wise COVID-19 Antibody test labs
- 3.1 Covid Antibody test Labs In India [Pan India]
- 3.2 labs in Kolkata
- 3.3 labs in Bangalore
- 3.4 labs in Delhi
- 3.5 Labs in Hyderabad
- 3.6 Labs in Mumbai
- 4 FAQs
- 4.1 1. What is COVID antibody test?
- 4.2 2. What Does A Positive Result Mean?
- 4.3 3. When will I get my test reports?
- 4.4 4. What Is The Method Used?
- 4.5 5. How much does it cost?
COVID-19 Antibody Test: Basics
Antibody Test Purpose
In case our body is infected by any virus, our immune system produces antibodies to fight the virus. Same is also true for COVID also.
This test detects the IgG or total or both, COVID antibodies in our body. The elevated level of antibodies in our body indicates a past infection from COVID (Symptomatic or asymptomatic). Presence of COVID antibodies can be taken as a positive outcome as a person may be relatively immune to reinfection.
Eligibility
As of 31 July 2020, Indian government or ICMR has not provided any eligibility criteria for COVID antibody test. Thus it can be
- Done without a Doctor prescription
- Any Age group (Consult Doctor for children)
- Any Gender
- Without any symptoms ( Consult Doctor if you have symptoms)
- With or without any known past infection
because of sero-surveillance importance of this test, it is recommended for
- Housing societies
- Corporate, office or factories
- Healthcare workers
- People on frontline of COVID care like sanitation workers.
Technicals Parameters
- Test method: CLIA, CMIA or ELISA
- Antibodies detected: IgG or Total
- Fasting: Not required
- Sample type: Blood
- Kits (DIY): Not available in India
- Home Collection: Available
Antibody Testing Data
COVID-19 Antibody Test Kit
Antibody test kits are similar to pregnancy test kits. A person needs to drop a small amount of blood in the cavity and it provides a qualitative result within 10-15 mins. However, its availability is limited in India as of now. So the pros and cons of using COVID antibody test kits are:
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Fast result (10-15 min)
- DIY kits
Cons:
- Qualitative results i.e. it tells only positive and negative and does not provide the number of antibodies.
- Blood sample extraction at home can be tricky
- Lower sensitivity compared to lab-based antibody test.
COVID-19 Antibody test Price
As of 31 July 2020; ICMR, Indian or state government have not specified any price limit for COVID antibody test. Thus, a significant variation can be seen from one lab to another and one city to another.
However, in our study, we have found the prices in the range of Rs 699 to Rs 1500.
Lab wise COVID-19 antibody test prices
Unlike RT-PCR COVID test, the cost of COVID antibody test is not uniform due to the lack of government regulations.
Table for COVID-19 Antibody test prices at popular and networked labs
| Name of Lab | Price |
| Dr Lal path labs | ₹ 1400 |
| Metropolis Healthcare | ₹ 850/ ₹ 1000 |
| Redcliffe Antibody test | ₹ 699 Book Now |
| SRL Lab (Available at few locations) | ₹ 950 |
| Suburban Diagnostics (Home Collection Chargable) | ₹ 950 |
| Healthspring | ₹ 1250 |
City Wise COVID-19 Antibody test labs
Covid Antibody test Labs In India [Pan India]
- Redcliffe
- Dr Lal Pathlabs
- SRL Lab
- Metropolis Healthcare
- Pathkind Lab
- Healthians
labs in Kolkata
Prices in Kolkata ranges from Rs 699 to Rs 1200.
- Redcliffe
- Dr Lal path labs
- Suraksha Diagnostics
- Remedy life care
- Desun ref lab
- Probe Diagnostics
labs in Bangalore
Cost in Bangalore ranges from Rs 699 to Rs 1400.
- Redcliffe
- Neuberg Anand
- Central Diagnostics
- Aster clinical lab
- XCyton Labs
labs in Delhi
Prices in Delhi range from Rs 699 to Rs 1400.
- Redcliffe
- Prognosis Lab
- Dr Lal path labs
- Star Imaging
- City X-Ray
- Ganesh Diagnostics
- Dr Deng Lab
Labs in Hyderabad
COVID antibody test Cost in Hyderabad ranges from Rs 699 to Rs 1050.
- Redcliffe
- Vijaya Diagnostics
- Vimta Labs
- Pathcare Labs
- Medcis Labs
Labs in Mumbai
COVID antibody test price in Mumbai ranges from Rs 699 to Rs 950
- Redcliffe
- SRL Lab
- Metropolis
- Suburban
- NM Medical
FAQs
1. What is COVID antibody test?
Once a person encounters COVID-19 virus, the body produces virus-specific antibodies. These antibodies can remain for months in our body. The test measure these antibody to detect past infection.
2. What Does A Positive Result Mean?
A positive result means you had encounter the virus in the past sucessfully & your body has developed certain level of immunity against the virus.
3. When will I get my test reports?
Though, actual time may vary, it usually takes 12-48 hours to get the reports.
4. What Is The Method Used?
Redcliffe COVID antibody test uses CMIA method for IgG antibody and CLIA method for Total antibodies. However, we do IgG since ICMR has focused on that.
5. How much does it cost?
Antibody test cost Rs 599 with free home sample collection.
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