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COVID-19 Antibody Testing

COVID-19 Antibody Blood Test Panel

This test panel can be used to assess recent or previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 as well as determine the presence of antibodies in individuals who have been vaccinated against the virus.

IMPORTANT: This test is no longer available for purchase.  For customers that already have a requisition, samples will continue to be collected at our Patient Service Centers until Sept 30, 2023.

How is the test performed?

Blood sample.

FAQs

What is the COVID-19 Antibody (Serology) Test Panel?

Antibodies are proteins generated by our immune system in response to infectious agents. Antibodies can be produced even if a person has few or no symptoms during the infection. Anti-viral antibodies are also produced as part of the immune response to vaccination. 

The COVID-19 Antibody Test Panel can be used to assess recent or previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 as well as determine the presence of antibodies in individuals who have been vaccinated against the virus.  This test is most accurate when sample is collected 3-4 weeks after exposure or onset of symptoms or post-vaccination. 

At this time, it is not known if the presence of antibodies to COVID-19 means you are immune to the virus and protected from re-infection.  Importantly, it is not known how long antibody response to the COVID-19 virus and vaccination lasts. Based on current studies, antibodies to the COVID-19 virus can be detected up to 10 months post-exposure. The antibody test panel is not to be used for diagnosis of active COVID-19 infection. 

The COVID-19 Antibody Panel offered by LifeLabs contains the following two tests: 

  1. SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid total antibody: a qualitative test that helps assess natural exposure only. 
  1. SARS-CoV-2 Spike total antibody: a quantitative test that determines presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein generated post vaccination and/or natural exposure to the virus but cannot differentiate between the two. 
What is the difference between COVID-19 diagnostic molecular (PCR) test, rapid antigen test, and Antibody Test Panel?

LifeLabs offers three types of COVID-19 tests. 

The molecular test (i.e., polymerase chain reaction or PCR) detects SARS-CoV-2 genetic material and is used to diagnose an active COVID-19 infection. A sample type used in molecular testing is a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab.  

The rapid antigen test detects SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid protein and may be used to diagnose an active COVID-19 infection. A sample type used in rapid antigen testing is a nasopharyngeal (NP) or nasal swab. 

The COVID-19 Antibody Test Panel is a blood test to detect antibodies to the virus.  Results of the test show whether you had a recent or prior COVID-19 infection and/or if you have produced anti-viral antibodies as part of your immune response to vaccination.  The Antibody Test Panel is not to be used for diagnosis of active COVID-19 infection. 

VIEW INFOGRAPHIC 

How can I get tested?

The LifeLabs COVID-19 antibody test may be scheduled directly at any of our Patient Service Centres offering this service. You must have a requisition form completed by a physician or healthcare provider. 

Find the nearest LifeLabs Location  

Book an Appointment 

 

 

How & when do I receive my test results?

LifeLabs® aims to have results available in MyCareCompass  within 4 business days from sample collection  if you provided your Personal Health Number (PHN) or Health Card Number (HCN) at your appointment.  For example, if your sample was collected on a Friday, you can expect to receive your results by the following Thursday. Your PHN or HCN will not be used for billing purposes.  

LifeLabs® does not guarantee that you will receive your results within 4 business days.  For collections done outside of LifeLabs’ locations, please add 3-5 business days to the turnaround time.

If more than 4 business days have passed since your sample was collected and you have not received your results in MyCareCompass, please email us at: 

For those that received a requisition directly from their health care provider, you also have the options to contact your health care provider to receive your test results. 

For minors, please refer to the FAQ “How & when do minors receive their test results?”

How & when do minors receive their test results?

The privacy of our patients is a priority. Currently, parents/guardians cannot register their children in MyCareCompass to view reports online.  This applies to children under the age of 18 in Ontario and under the age of 16 in British Columbia.

For those that purchased the pre-signed requisition for a minor through LifeLabs.com, they will be contacted by a member of the COVID clinical team directly by phone when their results are available.  Test results are typically available within 4 business days from sample collection.  There may be additional delays in receiving your phone call.

For those that received a requisition directly from their child’s healthcare provider, please contact that healthcare provider to receive your test results. 

Understanding your results

The COVID-19 Antibody Test Panel has two tests. One detects antibodies against the nucleocapsid protein of the virus particle acquired through natural infection, while the other detects antibodies against the spike protein of the virus particle acquired through natural infection or vaccination.

A negative COVID-19 antibody test result means that antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were not detected in your blood sample. This could mean that: 

SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid (N) Total Antibody 

SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) Total Antibody  
  • You have not been infected with SARS-CoV-2, or 
  • You have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the past, but your antibody levels were too low for the test to detect, or 
  • You have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, but there has not been enough time for antibodies to develop (antibody response varies from person-to-person and can take up to 3-4 weeks post-onset of symptoms or post-exposure to be reliably detectable by antibody assays). 
  • Some studies indicate that a small percentage of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 do not have detectible antibodies (< 4%). Immunocompromised individuals may have low antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 

 
  • You have not been infected with SARS-CoV-2, or 
  • You have not been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, or 
  • You may have been infected or vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, but the level of antibodies is too low to be detected, or 
  • There has not been enough time for antibodies to develop (antibody response varies from person-to-person and can take up to 3-4 weeks post-onset of symptoms or post-exposure to be reliably detectable by antibody assays 
  • Some studies indicate that a small percentage of people infected with or vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 do not have detectible antibodies (< 4%). Immunocompromised individuals may have low antibody responses. 

 

 

A positive antibody test result means that antibodies were detected in your blood sample. This typically indicates that: 

SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid (N) Total Antibody 

SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) Total Antibody  
  • You have been infected by SARS-CoV-2 virus in the recent past. 
  • In rare instances, falsely positive results may be caused by cross-reactivity of the test with other viruses 
  • The positive result does NOT infer immunity or protection from re-infection. 
  • You have been infected by SARS-CoV-2 virus in the recent past. 
  • You have been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 
  • In rare instances, falsely positive results may be caused by cross-reactivity of the test with other viruses 
  • The positive result does NOT infer immunity or protection from re-infection. 

 

Interpretation of the results requires consideration of both tests together, and the most plausible interpretations are provided in the table below. 

SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Total Antibody 

SARS-CoV-2 Spike Total Antibody 

 

Plausible Interpretation* 

Negative 

Negative (<0.8U/ml) 

The results suggest undetectable levels of antibody generated in response to either natural infection or vaccination. 

Negative 

Positive (≥0.8U/ml) 

The results are consistent with an immune response due to vaccination. The correlation between antibody levels and immunity is not yet established. 

Positive 

Positive (≥0.8U/ml) 

The results suggest recent or prior infection with or without vaccination. The correlation between antibody levels and immunity is not yet established. 

Positive 

Negative (<0.8U/ml) 

Results suggest recent or prior infection. 

 

*Limitations of testing:  

  • The COVID-19 antibody test panel is not to be used for diagnosis of an active COVID-19 infection. The molecular test/rapid antigen test may be used to diagnose active infection. 
  • The result of the COVID-19 antibody test panel cannot tell you whether you are infectious (actively shedding virus). 
  • False negative and false positive results are possible. Please consult with your physician to understand your lab test results.  

Please discuss both positive and negative results with your physician.  

Consulting with your physician to understand your result is not insured or covered by MSP.  Your healthcare provider will determine the fee you will pay for this service. 

FAQs

Overview

The COVID-19 Antibody Test Panel is comprised of two blood tests that detect antibodies reactive to SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) and spike (S) proteins. These tests can be used to assess recent or previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 as well as the presence of total antibodies post-vaccination.  Unlike a molecular or antigen COVID-19 test, the antibody test is not used in diagnosis of active infection. 

The Antibody Test Panel is most accurate (has highest clinical sensitivity) when a blood sample is collected 3-4 weeks after onset of symptoms/exposure or post-vaccination.  

At this time, it is not known if the presence of antibodies to COVID-19 means an individual is immune to the virus and protected from re-infection.  Importantly, it is not known how long antibody response to the COVID-19 virus lasts.   Based on current studies, antibodies to the COVID-19 virus can be detected up to 10 months post-exposure, but levels vary between individuals depending on disease severity, with levels higher in severe and lower in milder/asymptomatic cases. Antibody levels can also be lower in immunocompromised individuals. In addition, the level of antibody that offers adequate protection has not been established. 

LifeLabs COVID-19 Antibody Test Panel

The Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 N Total Antibody is a semi-quantitative immunoassay which detects antibodies (IgG, IgM, and IgA) to the nucleocapsid (N) antigen of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S Total Antibody is a quantitative immunoassay which detects antibodies (IgG, IgM, and IgA) to the Spike (S) protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Both assays detect high affinity antibodies, therefore favoring IgG, and do not differentiate between antibody type. The performance of both tests meet Health Canada requirements for COVID-19 antibody tests. 

The predictive value of the test is strongly dependent on prevalence of disease. Thus, clinical correlation is strongly recommended for test ordering and interpretation. 

The COVID-19 Antibody Test Panel now offered by LifeLabs can be used to detect anti-viral antibodies following vaccination and/or natural infection. The test detects antibodies against the nucleocapsid (N) protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and antibodies to the spike (S) protein of the virus particle (1), elicited by vaccination and/or infection. 

Interpretation of COVID-19 Antibody test results

The COVID-19 Antibody Test Panel has two tests. One detects antibodies against the nucleocapsid protein of the virus particle, while the other detects antibodies against the spike protein of the virus particle.  

A negative COVID-19 antibody test result means that antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were not detected in a patient’s blood sample. This could mean that: 

SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Total Antibody 

SARS-CoV-2 Spike Total Antibody  
  • They have not been infected with SARS-CoV-2, or 
  • They have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the past, but their antibody levels were too low for the test to detect, or 
  • They have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, but there has not been enough time for antibodies to develop (antibody response varies from person-to-person and can take up to 3-4 weeks post-onset of symptoms or post-exposure to be reliably detectable by antibody assays). 
  • Some studies indicate that a small percentage of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 do not have detectible antibodies (< 4%). Immunocompromised individuals may have low antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 

 
  • They have not been infected with SARS-CoV-2, or 
  • They have not been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, or 
  • They may have been infected or vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, but the level of antibodies is too low to be detected, or 
  • There has not been enough time for antibodies to develop (antibody response varies from person-to-person and can take up to 3-4 weeks post-onset of symptoms or post-exposure to be reliably detectable by antibody assays 
  • Some studies indicate that a small percentage of people infected with or vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 do not have detectible antibodies (< 4%). Immunocompromised individuals may have low antibody responses. 

 

 

A positive antibody test result means that antibodies were detected in a patient’s blood sample. This typically indicates that: 

SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Total Antibody 

SARS-CoV-2 Spike Total Antibody  
  • They have been infected by SARS-CoV-2 virus in the recent past. 
  • In rare instances, falsely positive results may be caused by cross-reactivity of the test with other viruses 
  • The positive result does NOT infer immunity or protection from re-infection. 
  • They have been infected by SARS-CoV-2 virus in the recent past. 
  • They have been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 
  • In rare instances, falsely positive results may be caused by cross-reactivity of the test with other viruses 
  • The positive result does NOT infer immunity or protection from re-infection. 

 

Interpretation of the results requires consideration of both tests together, and the most plausible interpretations are provided in the table below. 

SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Total Antibody 

SARS-CoV-2 Spike Total Antibody 

 

Plausible Interpretation* 

Negative 

Negative (<0.8U/ml) 

The results suggest undetectable levels of antibody generated in response to either natural infection or vaccination. 

Negative 

Positive (≥0.8U/ml) 

The results are consistent with an immune response due to vaccination. The correlation between antibody levels and immunity is not yet established. 

Positive 

Positive (≥0.8U/ml) 

The results suggest recent or prior infection with or without vaccination. The correlation between antibody levels and immunity is not yet established. 

Positive 

Negative (<0.8U/ml) 

Results suggest recent or prior infection. 

 

*Limitations of testing:  

  • The COVID-19 antibody test panel is not to be used for diagnosis of an active COVID-19 infection. The molecular test/rapid antigen test may be used to diagnose active infection. 
  • The result of the COVID-19 antibody test panel cannot tell you whether you are infectious (actively shedding virus). 
  • False negative and false positive results are possible. Please consult with your physician to understand your lab test results.  
Test turnaround time

Results will be available to the ordering physician within 4 business days from the date of specimen collection. 

*LifeLabs normally will be able to report a test result within 4 business days.  However, events outside of LifeLabs’ control may affect LifeLabs’ ability to meet this turnaround time.  The customer accepts the risk of such events.  LifeLabs will not be liable to the customer for such events. 

Schedule a test

The LifeLabs COVID-19 antibody test may be scheduled directly by the patient at any of our Patient Service Centres offering this service. They must have a requisition form completed by a physician or healthcare provider. 

Find the nearest LifeLabs Location  

Book an Appointment 

 

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