Evaluation of a SARS-CoV-2 Surrogate Virus Neutralization Test for Detection of Antibody in Human, Canine, Cat, and Hamster Sera

J Clin Microbiol. 2021 Jan 21;59(2):e02504-20. doi: 10.1128/JCM.02504-20. Print 2021 Jan 21.

Abstract

Surrogate neutralization assays for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that can be done without biosafety level 3 containment and in multiple species are desirable. We evaluate a recently developed surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) in comparison to 90% plaque reduction neutralization tests (PRNT90) in human, canine, cat, and hamster sera. With PRNT90 as the reference, sVNT had sensitivity of 98.9% and specificity of 98.8%. Using a panel of immune sera corresponding to other coronaviruses, we confirm the lack of cross-reactivity to other coronaviruses in SARS-CoV-2 sVNT and PRNT90, except for cross-reactivity to SARS-CoV-1 in sVNT.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS coronavirus 2; SARS-CoV-2; animal; antibody; canine; cat; hamster; human; neutralization; seroepidemiology; serology; surrogate virus neutralization.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • COVID-19 / blood
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis*
  • COVID-19 / pathology
  • COVID-19 Serological Testing / methods*
  • Cats
  • Cricetinae
  • Cross Reactions
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immune Sera / immunology
  • Male
  • Neutralization Tests / methods*
  • Neutralization Tests / standards
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immune Sera