Increasing test specificity without impairing sensitivity: lessons learned from SARS-CoV-2 serology
With support from BBMRI.at partner Med Uni Wien Biobank researchers from Vienna used samples from Austrian cohorts to investigate sensitivity and specificity of test systems. In their publication, they propose a novel testing strategy to increase the specificity of tests without compromising their sensitivity.
Serological tests are often poor with respect to sensitivity and specificity and leave room for false-positive and false-negative results.
On the example of COVID-19, the researchers from Med Uni Wien & Biobank tested five different serologic antibody SARS-CoV-2 tests. The scientists now propose a novel test algorithm – termed ‘sensitivity-improved two-test, SIT²’. For developing and testing the algorithm samples from an Austrian cohort stored at and managed by Med Uni Wien Biobank were used.
Perkmann T, Koller T, Perkmann-Nagele N, […] Helmuth Haslacher. Increasing test specificity without impairing sensitivity: lessons learned from SARS-CoV-2 serology. J of Clin Pathol, Published Online First: 30 August 2022.
