| During the initial SARS outbreaks,
there were no laboratory tests available to detect the
SARS virus. Fortunately, new laboratory methods have
been developed, including ELISA antibody tests and PCR-based
methods. Details about these tests are provided below.
It is important to note that these tests are relatively
new and test sensitivity and specificity need to be
studied further to determine how reliable results will
be. Positive laboratory test results indicate that a
patient has been recently infected with the coronavirus.
Negative tests do not imply that the patient does not
have SARS. Another unanswered question is whether an
individual with antibodies against SARS possesses long-term
protection against future SARS infections.
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