Post-COVID Viral Reactivation Testing
Post-COVID Viral Reactivation Video with Dr. Armin Schwarzbach
Introduction to AONM’s Post-COVID Viral Reactivation Panels
AONM, in collaboration with ArminLabs, offers two panels addressing Post-COVID Viral Reactivation, acknowledging the emerging evidence of multiple infections reactivating with COVID-19, especially herpes and enteroviruses.
Both test panels incorporate tests for measuring immune responses, providing insights into current, ongoing, or recent infections, chronic persistence, reactivation, or reinfections. The tests include T-cell tests (EliSpots) and Immunoglobulin A (IgA).
Enhanced Sensitivity with T-Cell Tests
T-cell tests reveal cellular responses against antigens with high sensitivity, surpassing common tests like IgG and IgM. EliSpot technology quantifies T-cells secreting signature proteins against specific antigens, evaluating spot-forming units with a stimulation index based on IGRA [iii].
IgA’s Role in Detecting Infections in the Mucosal Membrane
Immunoglobulin A, present in mucous membranes of lungs, sinuses, stomach, and intestines, is an indicator for current, ongoing, recent, chronic, reactivated, or reinfections. It is particularly useful for viruses and bacteria residing in mucosal membranes like VZV and Coxsackie.
Post-COVID Viral Reactivation Panel: Light
The ‘Light’ Panel includes EliSpots to detect “lytic” (replicating) forms of EBV and CMV, and IgA antibody tests against VZV and Coxsackie.
LC201
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) EliSpot, T-cell test, lytic only
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) EliSpot, T-cell test, lytic only
Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) IgG/IgM/IgA antibodies
Coxsackievirus A7 & B1 IgG/IgA antibodies
Post-COVID Viral Reactivation Panel: Advanced
The Advanced Panel expands to include Herpes Simplex Viruses 1 and 2, Human Herpes Virus 6 (HHV-6), Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Mycoplasma. These additions are substantiated by associations with reactivation in medical literature, testing laboratories, and clinical practice.
LC202
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) EliSpot, T-cell test, lytic only
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) EliSpot, T-cell test, lytic only
Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) IgG/IgM/IgA antibodies
Coxsackievirus A7 & B1 IgG/IgA antibodies
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) 1 & 2 IgG/IgM/IgA antibodies
Human Herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) EliSpot, T-cell test
Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG/IgA antibodies
Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgG/IgA antibodies
HOW TO ORDER
Testing requires a venous blood draw, and for the samples to be shipped via DHL Medical Express to arrive at the Lab in Germany within 72hrs. The ArminLabs test kit contains the apparatus for taking the blood, and the pre-paid DHL Medical Express packaging and customs paperwork.
We recommend that the blood is drawn on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday morning, and collected on the same day. This is to ensure that the samples arrive at the lab before the weekend.
[i] http://www.microbiologybook.org/mayer/Ab%20formation2000.htm
[ii] https://www.labtestsonline.org.au/learning/test-index/antibody-tests; 2. https://www.genscript.com/IgM-antibody.html
[iii] Sedegah M. The Ex Vivo IFN-γ Enzyme-Linked Immunospot (ELISpot) Assay Methods Mol Biol. 2015;1325:197-205; Humana Press; 3rd ed. 2018 edition (14 July 2018)
