Quantifying Neutralizing Antibodies in Patients with COVID-19 by a Two-Variable Generalized Additive Model
Kuan‐Ting Liu, Yu‐Nong Gong, Chung‐Guei Huang, Peng-Nien Huang, Kar-Yee Yu, Hou-Chen Lee, Sun-Che Lee, Huan-Jung Chiang, Yu-An Kung, Yueh‐Te Lin, Mei–Jen Hsiao, Po‐Wei Huang, Sheng‐Yu Huang, Hsin-Tai Wu, Chih‐Ching Wu, Rei‐Lin Kuo, Kuan‐Fu Chen, Chuan-Tien Hung, Kasopefoluwa Y. Oguntuyo, Christian S. Stevens, Shreyas Kowdle, Hsin-Ping Chiu, Benhur Lee, Guang‐Wu Chen, Shin‐Ru Shih
Abstract
Herein, we present a new approach for serological testing for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using innovative laboratory methods that demonstrate a combination of biology and mathematics. The traditional virus neutralization test is the gold standard method; however, it is time-consuming and poses a risk to medical personnel. Thus, there is a demand for methods that rapidly quantify neutralizing antibody titers in patients with COVID-19 or examine vaccine efficacy at a biosafety level 2 containment facility. Therefore, we used a two-variable generalized additive model to analyze the results of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and found the method to serve as a surrogate to quantify neutralizing antibody titers. This methodology has potential for clinical use in assessing vaccine efficacy.