NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre

Enabling translational research through partnership

MENUMENU
  • About
    • About the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre
    • A Guide to What We Do
    • Activities during COVID-19
    • Strategic Partnership Board
    • Steering Committee
    • Promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Research
    • Current Vacancies
    • Contact Us
    • Stay in Touch
  • Research
        • OUR 20 RESEARCH THEMES

        • Antimicrobial Resistance and Modernising Microbiology
        • Cardiovascular
        • Clinical Informatics and Big Data
        • Diabetes and Metabolism
        • Gastroenterology and Mucosal Immunity
        • Genomic Medicine
        • Haematology and Stem Cells
        • Imaging
        • Molecular Diagnostics
        • Multi-Modal Cancer Therapies
        • Multi-Morbidity and Long-Term Conditions
        • Musculoskeletal
        • Neurological Conditions
        • Obesity, Diet and Lifestyle
        • Partnerships for Health, Wealth and Innovation
        • Respiratory
        • Stroke and Vascular Dementia
        • Surgical Innovation and Evaluation
        • Technology and Digital Health
        • Vaccines for Emerging and Endemic Diseases
        • Oxford Biomedical Research Centre activities during COVID-19
  • Patient & Public Involvement
    • Getting involved with research
    • Researcher Guidance
    • Post an opportunity for patient and public involvement
  • Training Hub
    • Training Hub Overview
    • Clinical Academic Pathway
    • Internships
    • Preparatory Research Fellowships
    • Senior Research Fellowships
    • Research Training Bursaries
    • Doctoral Awards
    • Post-Doctoral Awards
    • Other funding
    • Leadership Training
    • Useful Links
    • Training and Education Resources
    • Upcoming Training Events & Courses
  • Industry
    • Collaborate with Oxford BRC
    • What Can We Do For Your Organisation?
    • Who Do We Work With?
    • IP and Licensing
    • Contacts for Industry
  • Videos
  • News
  • Events

News

You are here: Home > Antimicrobial Resistance and Modernising Microbiology > Mild COVID-19 symptoms might not result in positive antibody test, research finds

Mild COVID-19 symptoms might not result in positive antibody test, research finds

31 July 2020 · Listed under Antimicrobial Resistance and Modernising Microbiology, Clinical Informatics and Big Data, COVID-19

Oxford researchers have found that COVID-19 antibody tests might not give a positive result if people have only had mild symptoms, like loss of taste and smell.

Microbiology and data experts from the Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Oxford made the initial findings, published as a pre-print, as part of their comprehensive testing programme for OUH staff.

The researchers, some of whom are supported by the Oxford BRC’s Antimicrobial Resistance and Modernising Microbiology, and Clinical Informatics and Big Data Themes, had previously found that among OUH staff an isolated loss of smell or taste was strongly predictive of COVID-19 infection, as defined by a positive swab or antibody result. Antibody results are however defined by a threshold set against a continuous scale with only readouts above the threshold defined as ‘positive’.

The researchers have now looked at readouts below the threshold and have found an increasing proportion of staff reporting loss of smell or taste as the negative readouts increase and approach the threshold for positivity. 

Of those who had a ‘low antibody’ antibody test, approximately 4% reported loss of smell or taste, compared to 13-15% with a ‘high negative’ test and around 47% with a positive antibody test.

Dr Tim Walker, one of the authors of the paper, said: “Our dilemma is that some people with a mild form of the disease can fall into an ‘equivocal’ zone that is currently classed as ’negative’ result. Lowering the threshold to reclassify some false negatives as ‘positives’ will inevitably mean that some true negatives will then wrongly be categorised as positive.

“When we adjust for the likely proportion of staff reporting a loss of taste or smell due to reasons other than COVID-19, it suggests that the sensitivity of the antibody tests are 9-11% lower than had previously been reported. It means that we need to consider those individuals with the full spectrum of mild to severe infection when we evaluate these tests. We could also consider reporting ‘high negative’ antibody results as ‘equivocal’. What the test is being used for should of course influence any such decision.”

← AI test identifies COVID-19 within an hour in emergency departments
Oxford University and ZOE partner on COVID-19 treatment trials →

News

  • Environmental impact of 57,000 multi-ingredient processed foods revealed for first time 9 August 2022
  • £1.2m award to improve diagnosis of emergency spinal condition 4 August 2022
  • Workshop helps public contributors become ‘citizen experts’ on equality and diversity in research 4 August 2022
See full news archive

News Categories

Month Archives

Subscribe to the Oxford BRC Newsletter

Keep informed about the work of the Oxford BRC by subscribing to our Mailchimp e-newsletter. It is produced several times a year and delivers news and information about upcoming events straight to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Oxford BRC on Social Media

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Feedback

We’d love to hear your feedback. Please contact us at obrcenquiries@ouh.nhs.uk

  • Sitemap
  • Data Control and Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Our Partners
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact

Copyright © 2022 NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre