Capital Health Launches COVID-19 Antibody Testing Initiative

▴ Capital Health Launches COVID-19 Antibody Testing Initiative
A person infected with COVID- 19 produces specific IgG antibodies that can be detected in blood samples, whether they're exhibiting mild symptoms, a serious illness, or no symptoms at all

Before the COVID-19 pandemic reached the United States, it was clear that health care workers on the front lines were at an extremely high risk for infection. As health care organizations in New Jersey and around the country confronted the crisis and began providing adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), education, and guidance to their teams, Capital Health worked to advance mitigation efforts further by developing a COVID-19 blood antibody screening program. The research began by assessing the presence of COVID-19 immunity in Capital Health's workforce.

A person infected with COVID- 19 produces specific IgG antibodies that can be detected in blood samples, whether they're exhibiting mild symptoms, a serious illness, or no symptoms at all. The presence of this specific antibody indicates that a person has produced an immune response to COVID-19.

"Testing for the presence of the IgG antibody among our employees was a natural starting point for this study. Like health care workers all over the world, they're looking this health crisis in the eye every day," said Dr. Eugene McMahon, chief medical officer at Capital Health. "As the medical community's understanding of COVID-19 evolves, we believe that our antibody testing research will assist health care providers and patients alike."

Led by Patrick De Deyne, PhD, director of Clinical Research at Capital Health, the IgG antibody research initiative began in mid-April with more than 1,200 employee volunteers contributing blood samples for the study. Capital Health then partnered with FlowMetric, Inc., a biotechnical laboratory located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, to create a screening program that follows the industry's exacting protocols and high ethical standards. Through this collaboration, Capital Health demonstrates how regional medical centers have important roles in the development of new diagnostics and treatments in medicine. After making each volunteer aware of their immune status, the goal of this study is to inform the medical community about the existence of immunity to COVID-19 in health care settings and eventually the population at large.

"In order to continue to deliver the level of care that the people of central New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania expect, Capital Health needs to support its employees," said Dr. Robert Remstein, director of Accountable Care at Capital Health. "So far, the study has yielded significant information from employees at Capital Health, much of which can be applied to epidemiologic studies of the community and beyond."

Tags : #Capitalhealth #Covid-19 #Dreugenemcmahan #Antibodytesting

About the Author


Team Medicircle

Related Stories

03 Mar

1.5 Million Bottles Recalled: Is Your ADHD Medication Safe?

As consumers, we must remain vigilant, informed, and proactive in ensuring that the medications we take are truly safe.

View
03 Mar

Dressed for Trust: Why Doctors Must Wear White Aprons Again

With medical institutions gearing up to strictly enforce the rule, professionals are expected to adapt and embrace this change.

View
01 Mar

Are Your Idlis Poisoning You? The Hidden Dangers of Plastic in Indian Kitchens

Awareness campaigns, educational programs, and transparent reporting by food safety authorities can help empower consumers to make better choices.

View
01 Mar

India’s Pharma Revolution: Can New Regulatory Reforms Unleash a $42 Billion Industry?

The potential rewards are enormous a robust, efficient, and competitive pharmaceutical industry that not only fuels domestic growth but also serves as a reliable supplier of essential medicines to the world.

View
01 Mar

Pregnant and Pained: Is Paracetamol Poisoning Our Unborn Children?

The journey toward safer pregnancy practices is long and challenging, but with collective effort, we can create a future where common medications like paracetamol are used responsibly, ensuring both immediate relief and long-term health benefits.

View
27 Feb

India’s Newborns Are Dying from Sepsis And No One Is Talking About It

Newborn sepsis is a complex problem that requires innovative solutions. More funding for research on rapid diagnostic tests, alternative treatments is essential to tackle this growing crisis.

View
27 Feb

A New Spine, A New Life: Inside Kerala’s First 3D-Printed Titanium Cage Surgery

For those battling severe spinal disorders, this cutting-edge approach offers a new lease on life, free from debilitating pain and limited mobility.

View
27 Feb

Stuck in Slow Motion: How Bureaucracy is Choking India’s Pharma Dream

India’s CRDMO sector has the potential to revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry. But will the government step up to unlock its full potential?

View
26 Feb

Did the Government Force Covid Vaccines Without Responsibility? The Supreme Court Thinks So

Will the government take responsibility, or will affected families be left fighting a lonely legal battle? The coming weeks will determine the course of justice for those who lost loved ones in the fight against COVID-19.

View
26 Feb

The Inequality of Survival: Why Some Women Die While Others Live

The projected surge in breast cancer cases and deaths by 2050 is a clear call for immediate and sustained action.

View

-Advertisements-




Trending Now

1.5 Million Bottles Recalled: Is Your ADHD Medication Safe?March 03, 2025
Dressed for Trust: Why Doctors Must Wear White Aprons AgainMarch 03, 2025
India’s Pharma Revolution: Can New Regulatory Reforms Unleash a $42 Billion Industry?March 01, 2025
Pregnant and Pained: Is Paracetamol Poisoning Our Unborn Children?March 01, 2025
Are Your Idlis Poisoning You? The Hidden Dangers of Plastic in Indian KitchensMarch 01, 2025
Stuck in Slow Motion: How Bureaucracy is Choking India’s Pharma DreamFebruary 27, 2025
A New Spine, A New Life: Inside Kerala’s First 3D-Printed Titanium Cage SurgeryFebruary 27, 2025
India’s Newborns Are Dying from Sepsis And No One Is Talking About ItFebruary 27, 2025
Did the Government Force Covid Vaccines Without Responsibility? The Supreme Court Thinks SoFebruary 26, 2025
The Inequality of Survival: Why Some Women Die While Others LiveFebruary 26, 2025
The Corporate Invasion of Indian Hospitals: What It Means for YouFebruary 26, 2025
5 Simple Daily Habits to Keep Your Joints Healthy and Pain-FreeFebruary 25, 2025
Venus Remedies Secures Exclusive In-Licensing Rights from Infex Therapeutics to Develop and Commercialize MET-X in IndiaFebruary 25, 2025
With only 70 months left to end AIDS why is the urgency missing?February 25, 2025
Drenched in Oil: Is India Cooking Its Way to an Obesity Epidemic?February 25, 2025
Transforming Education: How Online Learning Platforms are Reshaping Study Material for Board and Competitive ExamsFebruary 24, 2025
February 24, 2025
The Dark Side of India’s Pharma Boom: How Banned Drugs Found a New Market in West AfricaFebruary 24, 2025
The Great Indian Medical Education Paradox: More Seats, Fewer Students, Collapsing SystemFebruary 24, 2025
From Science Fiction to Reality: AI Now Detects Blindness Before It StartsFebruary 24, 2025