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Clinician-Friendly Rationale for ELISpot in Long COVID
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Clinician-Friendly Rationale for ELISpot in Long COVID
One of the problems I’ve been having with my Long Vax journey is measuring progress outside of subjective “how am I feeling”. I have the Spike Protein Antibody testing that I am tracking; however, how long a body holds onto antibodies isn’t a very good measure is what I’m learning. I had Copilot draft up the reasoning for using ELISpot (instead of antibody testing), in a clinician friendly language, and wanted to share it:
Patient Context:
Long COVID is increasingly recognized as a post-viral syndrome involving immune dysregulation, including impaired Th1-type T cell responses, persistent antigenic stimulation, and possible viral reactivation (e.g., EBV, CMV, HHV-6). Symptoms such as exertion intolerance, autonomic instability, neuroinflammation, and immune-mediated flares suggest a failure of normal immune resolution.Why ELISpot?
Unlike conventional antibody tests or flow cytometry, ELISpot offers:- Single-cell resolution of cytokine secretion—ideal for detecting subtle or suppressed immune activity.
- Quantification of IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α–secreting cells, which reflect Th1 integrity and antigen-specific cellular immunity.
- Insight into T cell exhaustion, anergy, or polarization abnormalities often missed by broader panels.
Clinical Utility:
ELISpot can help identify:- Loss of Th1 effector function, relevant to chronic viral reactivation or immune paralysis.
- Skewing toward Th2 or Th17 responses, contributing to autoimmunity or mast cell activation.
- Persisting cytotoxic or inflammatory T cell signatures, which may explain post-exertional symptoms or relapsing inflammatory cycles.
This data can inform personalized immunomodulation strategies and help differentiate viral persistence from autoimmune mimicry.
🧪 Where & How to Send Blood Samples
One widely used lab that offers patient-accessible ELISpot panels is:
🔬 InfectoLab Americas
Specializes in immune profiling for chronic infections, including Borrelia, Babesia, Bartonella, EBV, and viral reactivation panels using ELISpot.- Website: infectolab-americas.com
- Contact: [email protected]
🩸 Blood Draw Instructions
- You’ll need a peripheral blood sample (whole blood, typically 8–10 mL).
- Timing matters—ELISpot requires fresh samples, usually processed within 24 hours.
- InfectoLab typically supplies:<ul data-tight=”true”>
- Special collection tubes
- Shipping instructions and pre-paid overnight labels
- Coordination with local phlebotomy services (some mobile draw options)
💰 Cost & Ordering
- Direct patient ordering is possible, but may require a clinician’s signature or consult depending on your location.
- Tests can range from $300–$600 depending on the panel.
- Insurance coverage is limited; HSA/FSA may help offset costs.
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3 Replies
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You had some random html in your above, so I got rid of that? Thanks about ELISpot, didn’t know about that?
Has anyone experience with this product/organization?
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Thank you for the cleanup of my post. I need to pay closer attention to the hypertext inclusions after a paste. 😉
I’ve attached a screenshot of what Copilot is telling me for other ELISpot testing options. It seems like it’s not very widely available unless you’re doing research, outside of the one I found above.
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Ah, you’re welcome. Easily updated. Great info. Thank you.
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