Important:
Spike protein is not only formed after a “vaccination”, but also in the course of a virus infection. During an infection, however, all other viral proteins are formed in addition to the spike protein, including the so-called nucleocapsid protein (N protein). The “vaccines”, on the other hand, only induce the formation of spike protein (Wuhan variant). To differentiate between vaccine damage and viral infection (acute or long-COVID), N protein is therefore detected in addition to S protein. An “S-positive but N-negative” result confirms the diagnosis of vaccine damage [1].
The immunohistochemical detection of spike protein is particularly informative in combination with a conventional histopathological assessment. This test can always be recommended if biopsy or autopsy material is available. It can be used on both fixed and unfixed samples.
Detection of spike protein in tissue samples by immunohistochemistry
This is a qualitative detection method in which the spike protein is visualised by antibody-mediated (immunohistochemical) staining on individual cells in a tissue section. The evaluation is carried out by light microscopic analysis. Positive detection (colour reaction) supports the diagnosis of vaccination damage.
Spike proteins in the blood vessels of the brain. Antibodies against the spike protein (left, green); antibodies against the nucleocapsid protein (right, no colouring visible)
Spike proteins in the tissue of a skin biopsy. Antibodies against the spike protein (left, green); antibodies against the nucleocapsid protein (right, no colour visible)
Spike proteins predominantly in the outermost layer of the vessels of a lung. Antibodies against the spike protein (left, green); antibodies against the nucleocapsid protein (right, no colouring visible)
Spike proteins in heart tissue. Visible through antibody staining (shown in green)
Quantitative detection of spike protein in immune cells and tissue samples by ELISA
It is possible to quantitatively determine the total amount of spike proteins in freshly isolated and unfixed tissue, blood and cerebrospinal fluid.
In this procedure, the spike proteins are not visualised microscopically, but their content in the sample material is measured using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). We use a test that is highly sensitive, up to 1000 times more sensitive than the ELISA tests used by other laboratories. Therefore, the price is also comparatively more expensive.
With this test we can also measure the amount of spike proteins in exosomes (vesicles released by cells inside or outside the bloodstream) isolated from the blood. The determination of spike proteins in exosomes is currently mainly relevant for scientific questions; the clinical significance of such a finding is still unclear.
Detection by ELISA is carried out using two antibodies that specifically recognise the spike protein of the original Wuhan variant of the virus (Fig. below). This variant no longer occurs ‘in the wild’ since mid-2021, but all vaccines used to date (including the bivalent vaccines) induce the formation of the Wuhan spike protein. Positive detection can therefore be considered vaccine-specific, with the possible exception of patients who have been suffering from Long COVID since 2020 or early 2021. In case of doubt and after consultation, a clear differentiation can be sought by further spike protein sequencing using mass spectrometry.
- Mörz, M. (2022) A Case Report: Multifocal Necrotizing Encephalitis and Myocarditis after BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccination against Covid-19. Vaccines 10:2022060308