Principle Health Systems and its Synergene Laboratory, one of the best equipped laboratories in Texas, are now offering a new COVID-19 antibody test developed by Abbott Laboratories that may help get workers back on the job faster. Employers are counting on reliable and fast COVID-19 antibody testing, the twin goal, along with combatting the virus itself, of global recovery efforts. Principle Health Systems is leading the charge in helping Texans get back to work with one of the most equipped laboratories in the state and with a capacity for more than 500,000 COVID-19 antibody tests per month.

Scientists agree that testing is perhaps the most effective and critical of all means we have of slowing and ultimately resolving the COVID-19 pandemic. While testing for the Coronavirus causing the illness is increasing at a less-than-hoped-for pace, equally important, the scientists, epidemiologists, and public health officials tell us, is antibody testing. When people get an infection, their immune systems make antibodies that help fight the infection. An antibody is a protein that the body produces in the late stages of infection and may remain for up to months and possibly years after a person has recovered. Knowing who has had the illness – at any level of symptoms – is critical to tracking both its spread and level of successful mitigation. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, has said, “These crucial data will help us measure the impact of our public health efforts now and guide our COVID-19 response moving forward.” (https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/14/health/antibody-test-explainer/index.html)

James Dieter, CEO of Principle Health Systems, said, “our High Complexity and CAP accredited lab, Synergene, is proud to offer the highest level of antibody testing available to our skilled nursing, physician office, and corporate clients. We chose to use the gold standard in Abbott antibody testing to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Our lab, where Abbott equipment has been used for years, provides actionable and reliable information to both healthcare providers and businesses to accurately identify those people with immunity resistance to COVID-19.”

The test being used is a serology test – also called an antibody test. Abbott's test helps to detect the IgG antibody to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Detecting these IgG antibodies will help determine if a person was previously infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. The new antibody test is used on Abbott's ARCHITECT i1000SR and i2000SR laboratory instruments, which can run up to 100-200 tests an hour. Principle Health Systems has the ability to complete up to 500 tests for the IgG antibody per hour (12,000/day).

According to Nataliya Bulayeva, PhD, Synergene Laboratory Director, “Our laboratory is excited to help lead the charge in COVID-19 antibody testing in Texas. Venipuncture serology testing, as opposed to finger stick, remains the gold standard method to achieve accurate results. The robust and reliable Abbott assay has shown the ability to detect 100% of COVID-19 IgG antibodies in patients 14 days or longer post exposure.”

Organizations that will be especially interested in working with Principle Health Systems include large and small businesses of all kinds, Hospitals and extended care facilities, outpatient medical facilities, government facilities and many others. While other well-known testing labs are primarily focused on testing for the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, few are currently offering this level of antibody testing, the other half of the overall testing protocol that will help end the pandemic.

“We feel both honored and excited, but even more responsible, to step up and work around the clock to get our community back to normal,” adds Dieter. “Honestly, we could not do it without having such a selfless staff that puts service first. These men and women performing phlebotomy, accessioning [accepting samples into the lab and entering sample data] and doing the lab work around the clock ensure results get out quickly and our patients stay safe. I am inspired at their dedication to the cause and have never been prouder to be a part of Principle Health Systems.”

Principle Health Systems exists to optimize patient outcomes and experiences through personalized service, precision medicine and data analytics. The company engages advanced methods and technology to become the standard for innovation in healthcare products and services while maintaining an unsurpassed commitment to serving our providers and patients.