T cells are key players in the adaptive immune system. When the body is invaded by a foreign substance like a virus or bacteria, the immune system rallies one of its earliest lines of defense, helper T cells, to join the fight.
Helper T cells may call on their allies to kickstart antibody production to support the fight against the disease. Helper T cells also alert other types of T cells to the presence of foreign invaders to be targeted and destroyed.
After the body has fought off an infection or disease, a small number of T cells remain in the blood. They are called memory T cells and their job is to remember how to ward off these invaders if they ever return.
T-Detect COVID is the first T cell test for COVID-19 available in the U.S. (not available in U.S. Territories) to those over age 18. It measures T cells instead of antibodies to detect recent or past SARS-CoV-2 infection (the virus that causes COVID-19).
T cells are the first responders of the adaptive immune system and activate the antibody response. While antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) naturally wane and are detectable in the shorter term, T cell responders can persist in the blood long after antibody responses wane.
T-Detect COVID can detect T cells in a blood and recognize the SARS-CoV-2 virus for up to 10 months after symptoms appear (90% sensitivity).
T-Detect COVID can detect an immune response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease, to assess recent or past infection. It is not intended for the diagnosis of active/current SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The T-Detect COVID Assay is intended for use as an aid in identifying individuals with an immune response to SARS-CoV-2, indicating recent or prior infection. The T-Detect COVID Assay uses next-generation sequencing (NGS) to assess the rearranged T-cell receptor beta (TCRβ) gene sequences to present in genomic DNA isolated from human peripheral blood. This test is not intended for diagnosis of active SARS-CoV-2 infection.
T-Detect is available by prescription only. T-Detect results should always be used in combination with clinical examination, patient medical history, and other findings.
Call our office (281-298-6742) for more information and/or to schedule blood draw. The test costs $259
Reference: https://www.t-detect.com/
