N-protein presents early in blood, dried blood and saliva during asymptomatic and symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an unprecedented impact on societies and economies worldwide. There remains an ongoing need for high-performance SARS-CoV-2 tests which may be broadly deployed for infection monitoring. Here we report a highly sensitive single molecule array (Simoa) immunoassay in development for detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (N-protein) in venous and capillary blood and saliva. In all matrices in the studies conducted to date we observe >98% negative percent agreement and >90% positive percent agreement with molecular testing for days 1-7 in symptomatic, asymptomatic, and pre-symptomatic PCR+ individuals. N-protein load decreases as anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike-IgG increases, and N-protein levels correlate with RT-PCR Ct-values in saliva, and between matched saliva and capillary blood samples. This Simoa SARS-CoV-2 N-protein assay effectively detects SARS-CoV-2 infection via measurement of antigen levels in blood or saliva, using non-invasive, swab-independent collection methods, offering potential for at home and point of care sample collection. Here the authors develop a single molecule array (Simoa) immunoassay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein in venous and dried capillary blood as well as saliva. The assay shows good performance in symptomatic, asymptomatic, and pre-symptomatic PCR+ individuals.

Automated summary

The study introduces a highly sensitive Simoa immunoassay for detecting SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein in venous and dried capillary blood as well as saliva, showing good performance in symptomatic, asymptomatic, and pre-symptomatic PCR+ individuals.