Covid Test

Use of serological tests in Luxembourg

Serological tests can be used to determine whether a person has been infected with the Sars-CoV-2 virus in the past and whether he or she has formed antibodies against this infection. However, a negative serological test a few months after a positive PCR test raises the question of whether the PCR test was false positive. On this issue, DP MP Gusty Graas wanted to know from the Minister of Health, among other things, how many serological tests have already been carried out and whether there is any information on false positive PCR tests.

« Le gouvernement luxembourgeois invite les résidents ainsi que les travailleurs frontaliers à participer volontairement et gratuitement au test de dépistage sérologique de la COVID-19 dans le cadre du Large Scale Testing.

Le « test DBS » (Dry Blood Spot) permet de détecter des anticorps dans le sang de la personne testée, et donc de savoir, entre autres, si elle a été exposée au virus Sars-CoV-2 dans le passé.

Cependant, il a été constaté que chez quelques individus précédemment testés positifs avec un test PCR moins de 3 mois auparavant, aucun anticorps n’a été détecté après un test sérologique. Cela peut amener ces personnes à conclure que leur test PCR était faussement positif et qu’elles ont donc été inutilement placées en isolement ou en quarantaine.

Dans ce contexte, j’aimerais poser les questions suivantes à Madame la Ministre de la Santé :

  • Combien de tests sérologiques ont été réalisés au Luxembourg jusqu’à ce jour ?
  • Dans combien de cas des anticorps ont-ils pu être détectés ? Est-ce qu’on peut déceler dans ces tests le délai endéans lequel l’infection par Covid-19 a eu lieu?  
  • Madame la Ministre, dispose-t-elle d’informations concernant de tests PCR faussement positifs ?
  • D’autres tests sérologiques sont-ils effectués dans notre pays à part le test DBS ? Dans l’affirmative, lesquels et en quoi diffèrent-ils les uns des autres ? »

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