Diagnostic Accuracy of an Avidity-Enhanced COVID-19 Peptide Immunoassay: Performance Analysis of the S559 Peptide Analog (presented at the 25th UP Manila S&T Week)

This research evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of a novel avidity-enhanced immunoassay designed for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Utilizing a manually curated library of 22 unique sequences derived from 9 distinct proteins, the study identifies the S559 peptide analog as a high-performance candidate for serological testing.Key Research Findings:Enhanced Performance: Implementation of an avidity-enhanced ELISA resulted in a 218% avidity gain compared to standard protocols.Statistical Rigor: The assay demonstrated an Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUROC) of 0.9659 (95% CI: 0.9568 – 0.9571; p < 0.0001).Large-Scale Validation: Diagnostic accuracy was established through the testing of 1,222 COVID-19 clinical samples and 218 controls.Structural Context: The research maps the S559 peptide to its origin within the human coronavirus spike protein structure. This study provides a framework for improving the sensitivity and specificity of peptide-based immunoassays, offering a robust tool for serosurveillance and the monitoring of humoral immune responses.