Antibody to SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein (Serum)

Why This Test Might Be Ordered

Your healthcare provider may order this test if you’ve had symptoms of COVID-19 or been exposed to the virus. It can also be used in research or screening studies to detect antibodies after infection, even if you no longer test positive for the virus itself.

What to Expect Before the Test

No special preparation is needed. You’ll likely have a simple blood draw from a vein in your arm. The test is usually done in a lab and results may take a few days to weeks, depending on your healthcare provider’s process.

What the Results Mean

Positive results indicate the presence of antibodies against the nucleocapsid protein, suggesting you’ve likely been infected with SARS-CoV-2 at some point. Negative results mean no detectable antibodies were found, which could mean you haven’t been infected recently or haven’t developed antibodies yet.

Common Uses of This Test

This test is primarily used for research, public health surveillance, or in studies focused on understanding immunity to COVID-19. It’s not typically used for diagnosing active COVID-19 infection, as it relies on detecting past exposure rather than current infection.