Qualitative antibody test and quantitative antibody test are the same can used to detect antibodies to Corona virus. Even though so, there is a difference between qualitative antibody test and quantitative antibody test which need known.
Qualitative antibody tests and quantitative antibody tests are carried out by taking a blood sample, then tested in a laboratory to determine the presence of body antibodies against viruses, including the Corona virus.
Although both can show the presence of immune substances against certain diseases, qualitative antibody tests and quantitative antibody tests have a number of differences. One of the differences is the target antibody detected.
Different Tes Qualitative Antibody and Quantitative Antibody Test
Qualitative antibody tests aim to detect antibodiesnucleocapsid or protein contained in the protective shell of the core of the Corona virus, while the quantitative antibody test detects the amount of antibody to the protein spike on the surface of the Corona virus.
Qualitative antibody tests can be performed to determine the body's antibody reaction to COVID-19. This test can be used as screening or an initial examination to find out whether a person is infected with the Corona virus or not, for example a rapid antibody test for COVID-19.
Meanwhile, quantitative antibody tests are able to detect the amount of antibodies that have been formed. In the COVID-19 examination, this test can be one of the benchmarks for assessing how well the body's immune response is formed as a resistance reaction to Corona virus infection.
The types of antibodies that are formed when the body is newly infected with the Corona virus or get the COVID-19 vaccine are immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin M (IgM).
After a few weeks, the number of IgM and IgA will decrease and the body will form another type of antibody, namely IgG. These antibodies can survive in the body for several months.
Qualitative antibody tests can detect the presence of these antibodies and the results can be either negative or positive. Meanwhile, quantitative antibody tests can show how many antibodies are formed and the results will be in numerical units.
However, until now there has been no recommendation stating that qualitative and quantitative antibody tests need to be carried out on people who have received the COVID-19 vaccine.
Qualitative Antibody Tests and Quantitative Antibody Tests for Other Diseases
Qualitative antibody tests and quantitative antibody tests can not only be used to detect the presence of the Corona virus, but can also detect other viruses and bacteria, such as hepatitis B.
In hepatitis B disease, qualitative and quantitative antibody test methods can be used to diagnose hepatitis B, both acute and chronic, as well as the immune response of a person after receiving the hepatitis B vaccine under certain conditions.
This test can also be done to determine the response of people with hepatitis B to treatment and the success rate of hepatitis B treatment.
That's the difference between qualitative antibody tests and quantitative antibody tests for COVID-19 that you need to know. In conclusion, until now qualitative and quantitative antibody tests have not been recommended to be carried out after COVID-19 vaccination.
If you still have further questions regarding qualitative and quantitative antibody tests for COVID-19, you can consult a doctor through the ALODOKTER application.
