Prognosis

T-Cell Screening Launched to Detect Prior Covid Infections

  • Adaptive’s test uses machine learning gained in Microsoft pact
  • Test may fill a key gap left by standard antibody screening
Adaptive Biotechnologies’ T-Detect Covid-19 test.Source: Adaptive Biotechnologies
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Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp. launched a test that uses machine-learning technology from Microsoft Corp. to detect prior Covid-19 infections, aiming to fill an important gap left by standard antibody screening.

The screening, called T-Detect Covid, searches for T-cell responses against the disease, rather than the immune proteins detected by conventional tests. Seattle-based Adaptive says its product may help people who believe they’ve been infected but haven’t tested positive with currently available analyses. That includes long-haulers -- patients who suffer lingering Covid symptoms, often for months.