With all the hype from #Trump and #CoronvirusTaskForce THREAD ON ANTI-BODY TESTING - OPINION ONLY from top doctor I trust. Sharing FWIW:

"I know there has been a lot of buzz about antibody testing so wanted to give you my take on it. Ideally, an antibody test..+

"not only tells you if you have been exposed to the disease in question but also if you are immune to it. The current tests I see out there do not guarantee either. There are 2 types of antibodies these tests are testing for - IgM and IgG..." - 2.

"...the former is formed early in the disease process, within a week or two and then can disappear, whereas IgG antibodies are formed later in the disease process, as a long term response, usually within 3-6 weeks and then can persist for months or years..." 3.

...(also may disappear eventually) - this is the antibody we usually look for along with what we call an 'antibody titer' or how much antibody we have, to confirm immunity. I have concerns over the tests that are out now for many reasons: -They were produced very quickly, " 4.

"...not going through rigorous testing to assure accuracy of the result, I have seen some abominable stats on these various tests, some as low as 20-30% accuracy (!). A few of the testing kits have received emergency use authorization by the FDA but many out there have not." 5.

"- there can be what we call 'cross-reactivity' between Covid-19 antibodies and other coronavirus antibodies - there are many circulating coronaviruses that are benign so a (+) result may or may not mean you were exposed to Covid-19 vs. another more benign virus." 6.

"- there is no proof if (+) for the (IgG) antibody that you are immune to Covid-19, or if you do assume immunity, how long it will last. Again, these antibody tests will not confirm that someone has had the disease nor if you are immune/protected." 7.

"The best thing a test can tell you is that you 'may have been exposed'. Also, even if (+), there is no titer, or how much of the antibody you have, such an important concept that is totally left out of the picture currently." 8.

"I do think in the future there will be more sensitive and specific testing, but that may be months away. I am concerned the conclusions that may be drawn from these current antibody tests and wanted you all to be aware of the limitations as well." 9.

"Quest is performing IgG testing at all of their testing facilities, you can schedule an appt w a doctor's order. Nasal swab testing remains the best means of testing for active viral infection w Covid-19. Hospital has drive-through testing-results coming in ~ 2 days." End