A qualitative IgG ELISA for detection of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies in Syrian hamster serum samples.

This protocol describes an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for qualitative detection of IgG antibodies against Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Syrian hamster serum samples. We describe the preparation of inactivated virus antigen and the negative control antigen, and the use of antigen-coated microtiter plates to detect SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies from SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters, including the criteria for differentiating positive vs negative reaction. The limited batch-to-batch variability of this assay has been verified with two batches of independently-prepared antigens.