Rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in oral fluids

MacMullan, M. A.; Chellamuthu, P.; Mades, A.; Das, S.; Turner, F.; Slepnev, V. I.; Ibrayeva, A.

Current commercially available methods for reliably detecting antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 remain expensive and inaccessible due to the need for whole blood collection by highly trained phlebotomists using personal protective equipment (PPE). We evaluated an antibody detection approach utilizing the OraSure Technologies' Oral Antibody Collection Device (OACD) and their proprietary SARS-CoV-2 total antibody detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found that the OraSure test for total antibody detection in oral fluid had comparable sensitivity and specificity to serum-based ELISAs while presenting a more affordable and accessible system with the potential for self-collection.