T-Cell/Immune Testing

Our goal is to provide the tools for someone to determine their current immune status and identify ways to strengthen and improve areas of immune function that may be weak or underdeveloped due to the lack of prior antigen exposure. We can then provide tailored advice through the Virax Immune app on how to boost immune function through nutrition and nutraceuticals, lifestyle choices or vaccinations.

T-cells are a key part of the adaptive immune system. They are activated in response to infection, and act to coordinate cytokines and immune cells to fight foreign antigens in the body. A proportion of these T-cells remain in the body after recovery from an infection.

T-cells are a key part of the adaptive immune system. This consists of immune cells, as well as antibodies and cytokines that promote a response by the body to an infection. The effectiveness of immune function is influenced by age, nutrition status, exercise and your immunological profile. This profile is influenced by prior exposure to viruses or immune threats during your life, or your mother’s exposure during pregnancy. Each exposure in the past creates a specific type of immune cell (memory T-cells). These are specific to the antigen the body was exposed to and mounted a T-cell response to. Memory T-cells remain in the body for many years after initial infection and contribute to an individual’s unique immunological profile. Suppose the body is exposed to the same antigen again. In that case, (or even an antigen with a similar profile to the original), memory T-cells can recognize that antigen and help the body to rapidly respond to the threat when the secondary exposure happens.

T-cell testing has become a valuable method to detect prior or recent infection for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Moreover, the presence of T-cells in an immunized person can be used to check vaccine efficacy. In addition, people who recovered from SARS-Cov (the original Covid virus) 17 years ago still have protection through their T-Cells against SARS. These memory T-cells have been shown to protect against COVID-19, through cross-reactivity with the current SARS-Cov-2 coronavirus.

We are focused on measuring T-cell responses to viral threats. Using this approach, we can build an individual's immune profile. This can prove useful information about which viruses an individual would be expected to mount a rapid immunological response to, if infected. And concurrently, viruses they have not been exposed to in the past may be less protected against by their immune system in its current state.

The more knowledge we can get about our unique immune profiles, the more we can make informed decisions on viral avoidance, shielding, vaccinations and boosters. This is also useful for governments and hospital groups to determine public health policy and vaccination priority and assess population risks, as viral threats are ever more prevalent in society.