ABC was created in response to the unprecedented challenges of covid-19 as an impact project. Initially built and deployed over seven weeks, ABC has worked closely with the Swedish Public Health Agency to conduct up to 25% of all national testing for covid-19. Our culture is defined by speed, agility, and innovation without ever compromising the highest standard of quality. Through partnerships with academic scientists, we created unique products that enabled the Swedish national screening program for the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants as well as the first test for measuring t-cell immunity in Europe.
ABC: Lab for the Future
We believe the pandemic has changed diagnostics and healthcare forever and there will be unprecedented demand for, among other things, home testing and preventative health screening. To do this at scale, we are now creating a digital infrastructure around testing that better integrates healthcare providers, labs, and patients to make diagnostics more affordable, accessible, and readily available.
Test Portfolio
ABC offers the full suite of SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics including NGS, T-Cells, IgG/IgA/IgM antibodies, and PCR. We are now building products for digital medicine, national screening programs, and specialist care.
A positive test result indicates that the patient is infected with SARS-CoV-2. Laboratory test results should always be considered in the context of clinical observations and epidemiologic data in making a final diagnosis.
A negative test result suggests that the patient is not infected with SARS-CoV-2 at the time of testing. This can also depend on the stage of the covid-19 infection or /and the quality of the collected sample.
An invalid test result suggests that the patient may have a very low amount of viral nucleic acid present in the sample that does not reach the threshold to be considered positive by the assay. Repeat the testing with a new sample, if clinically indicated.
To qualitative (nucleokapsid -(N) or spike protein receptor binding domain (S1/RBD)) or quantitative (S1/RBD) detect antibodies (ab) of class IgG against SARS-CoV-2 proteins (nucleocapsid protein – (N) or spike protein receptor binding domain (S1/RBD)). To detect an immune response after covid-19 infection (N, S1/RBD, ab) (2-4 weeks after covid-19) or an immune response after vaccination (S1/RBD, ab) (2 doses of vaccine and after 3 weeks).
Specimen type:
Whole blood in serum tube
Whole blood in Capitainer qDBS card
Collection container/tube:
Serum tube with gel and coagulation activator, tube size 5 ml
Quantitative (U/mL): Negative / Low Positive / Medium Positive / High Positive
Qualitative: Positive / Negative
A positive result indicates that SARS-CoV-2 antibodies of class IgG are detected. It suggests a prior infection with SARS-CoV-2 (N-, S1/RBD- IgG, ab).
An increase in IgG levels against the spike protein (S1/RBD-IgG, ab) supports also an adequate vaccination response. The current vaccines in Sweden (Astra-Zeneca, Moderna, Pfizer BioNTech) create antibodies against only the spike protein.
The Capitainer qDBS cards can detect antibodies against the spike protein receptor binding domain (S1/RBD)
A negative antibody test result suggests no previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2. However, a negative antibody test may be the result if an individual gets tested too soon after exposure or if the sample is from a immunocompromised individual. In addition, a small proportion of previously infected individuals may not produce antibodies following infection.
The tests satisfy Folkhälsomyndighetens criteria according to Vägledning för antikroppspåvisning.
SARS-CoV-2 T-Cell EliSpot
Method name:
Enzyme-linked immunospot (EliSpot)
T-cells from individuals are incubated with pool peptides from SARS-CoV-2 as well as control stimuli. The number of T-cell clones that are activated to release IFN-γ are detected by capture antibody, developed and enumerated.
Used:
To detect Spike antigen specific T-cell reactivity in order to identify T-cell memory after infection or to verify response to vaccination against SARS-CoV-2.
A positive result indicates recognition of SARS-CoV-2 peptides from T-cells as a sign of memory T-cell activation after an infection or after vaccination.
A negative result suggests no previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and no recognizable T-cells response.
To identify the different SARS-CoV-2 variants including variants of concerns (VOCs), such as Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (B.1.1.529). VOCs are associated with increased transmissibility or even disease severity, possible impact on molecular diagnostic assays, possible reduced neutralization by antibodies from previous infection or vaccination, and reduced efficacy of monoclonal antibody therapy.
For monitoring of contact tracing and enhancing public health control measures.
Specimen:
Pure RNA
Specimen volume:
8.5 uL
Interpretation:
SARS-CoV-2 variants get a final PANGO-lineage classification determined by the Pangolin (Phylogenetic Assignment of Named Global Outbreak LINeages) software.
An invalid result indicates poor sequence quality resulting from the presence of inhibitors and/or a low amount of the virus present in the sample or the viral genome may only have been present in a fragmented state.
Quantification of PEth in Dried Blood Spots using LC-MS/MS
Method name:
Liquid Chromatography, Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Used:
Measurement of PEth in red blood cells is used as a biomarker of excessive alcohol drinking and is considered as the most sensitive and specific long-term alcohol biomarker available. PEth 16:0/18:1 is used as the analyte because it is the most prevalent PEth homologue.
Specimen:
The use of wet blood transported to the laboratory has recently been shown to be associated with risk for falsely high results because enzyme activity continues after sampling. The Capitainer® qDBS Vanadate device is developed to solve this problem. The filter used for collecting and drying the blood is impregnated with a PLD inhibitor. This will ensure correct measurement of PEth concentrations in blood.
Interpretation:
<0.05 μmol/L: ”Result shows sporadic or no alcohol consumption.”
≥0.30 μmol/L: ”Result shows significant degree of alcohol consumption.”
Drugs of Abuse in Urine and Oral Fluid Using LC-MS/MS
Method name:
Liquid Chromatography, Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Used:
The purpose of the testing is to get accurate information regarding the donor’s exposure to drugs in recent time.
Testing for drugs of abuse is routinely done using screening with immunochemical assays. By instead using LC-MS/MS for screening, we aim to achieve improved sensitivity and reliable results already in the initial analytical investigation.
Specimen:
Testing for drugs of abuse (DoA) is routinely done using urine as a specimen. By also enabling the use of oral fluid, we give a possibility of an alternative specimen that can be collected more safely and with less intrusion of privacy.
Interpretation:
Urine: Most analytes have a cutoff of 100 ng/mL
Oral Fluid: Most analytes have a cutoff of 1 ng/mL
Our Team
Ahsan Amjad
CEO & Board Member
Erik Lindblad
Chief Technology Officer
Frida Siwe
Chief Financial Officer
Maria Rankka
Chief Strategy Officer & Board Member
Ola Winqvist
Medical Director & Chief Scientific Advisor
Accreditation
ABC Labs AB is accredited (accred. no. 10532 by SWEDAC) for testing in ISO 15189 Medical laboratories -Requirements for quality and competence. Testing at ABC is covered by both national and international quality assurance programs. ABC also offers testing services that are not included in the scope of accreditation, in the case of a requested testing have an accredited method this will always be applied unless something else is requested.
A result report provided with an accreditation symbol or with a text reference to accreditation is called an accredited result report. Some of the reporting media i.e., patient journal systems, does not allow marking of which methods are accredited and which are not. In these cases, an accredited result report can be supplied for testing carried out with an accredited method upon request.
Certificate of Accreditation, including the scope, can be found on Swedac’s website.
