Development of a detection system for antibodies against COVID-19 based on the principle of immunochromatography

Abstract

With the arrival of COVID-19 to Argentina, the lack of tools of local origin that would mitigate the effects of the pandemic from the epidemiological point of view was evidenced. One of these tools for this purpose contemplates the use of quick and efficient diagnostic methods. Among which, the most versatile, from a cost-benefit point of view, are the so-called rapid serological tests. This type of method allows large-scale population studies to be carried out in order to find infected individuals and draw close contact networks, allowing from an epidemiological point of view to carry out mapping and segregation of areas, considering metrics such as incidence of the disease and acquired population immunity. The principle of this type of tool is based on the detection of antibodies in blood using an immunochromatographic principle and visual detection. This system, due to its low complexity and low cost of its components, allows its implementation without the need for a hospital or laboratory infrastructure. To carry out the diagnostic test, a drop of blood from the individual to be tested is required and its application in the device, subsequently by adding a drop of the chromatographic reagent, the appearance of color in one or more two test lines, which will indicate whether or not the person analyzed has antibodies against COVID 19. If the result is positive, indicative of being or has been in contact with the virus. Therefore, this type of test allows healthcare personnel to make immediate decisions about the situation of a positive person or group of people.