EFFECTIVENESS OF ANTIBODY VS ANTIGEN BASED DETECTION METHOD AND THE SCREENING APPROACHES TO COMBAT COVID-19

ABSTRACT

The spreading of novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) had infected 41,570,883 people worldwide, with infection cases in Malaysia reaching 24,514 cases on 23rd October 2020. COVID-19 has been associated with severe lower respiratory tract infections, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and death. In response to this global emergency situation, clinical research and interventions in treating COVID-19 are emerging at an unprecedented rate. Currently, there are two types of test that were used to detect the presence of COVID-19 antigen-based and antibody-based detection tests, each with specific advantages and disadvantages which is the focus of this article. In addition, issue on whether rapid mass screening is better compared to the targeted screening to halt COVID-19 infection is also discussed. We conclude that antigen-based detection kit using Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) has high specificity and sensitivity compared to other methods. In a country with lack resources, manpower and facilities, targeted screening can be opted as this method is equally effective to contain COVID-19 spreading when compared with rapid mass screening. © 2020, Journal of Sustainability Science and Management. All rights reserved