Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (OLLH-DPLM) now offers additional tests to aid in the diagnosis, management, and surveillance of COVID-19 in our community.

The first is the Rapid Antigen Test, designed to detect viral proteins expressed by the COVID-19 virus. The laboratory uses the Abbott Panbio COVID-19 Nasopharyngeal Test, which is local FDA approved for use. This kit has shown good sensitivity (average: 85-86%), and specificity (average: 99-100%) based on the international WHO-FIND data. The test uses a nasopharyngeal swab, which is the same sample used in RT-PCR testing. The main advantage of the test is the much faster turnaround time, from collection to releasing of results in less than 2 hours, compared to 24-48 hours for RT-PCR testing.

If the virus is present in the patient’s sample, the test will be released as positive. Per DOH Department Memorandum 2021-0169 released last March 29, 2021, in a probable COVID-19 case, a positive antigen result is interpreted as a confirmed COVID-19 case. On the other hand, negative results from probable cases need to be confirmed with an RT-PCR test or a repeat antigen test 24 to 48 hours after the initial test. This test has helped diagnose and manage people with COVID-19 faster, with potentially life-saving implications for those needing immediate treatment.

Another test that is available in the laboratory is the Quantitative SARS-CoV-2 IgG Test. The procedure only involves taking a blood sample, which will be used to quantitatively measure the level of neutralizing antibodies present in your body. The test is primarily used to check if patients have formed antibodies against the COVID-19 virus, which can be used a sign of recovery from COVID-19 infection. Another potential use for this test is for checking one’s antibody levels post-vaccination. However, it should be noted that a negative result does not automatically indicate vaccine failure or lack of protection from the virus.

The addition of these tests to the armamentarium of diagnostics in the laboratory has helped improve clinical decision-making and turnaround times for patient diagnosis and management. Both tests are available 24/7 and have competitive pricing compared to other hospitals.

Dr. Waldemar T. Siy is the Lead Pathologist of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine’s Section of Immunology and Serology at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. Call us at 8716-3901 or visit www.ollh-manila.com for more information.