Journal Article

SARS-CoV-2-directed antibodies persist for more than six months in a cohort with mild to moderate COVID-19

Gottwald, Christine, Glück Vivian, Wenzel, Jürgen J, Salzberger Bernd, Gessner André, Peterhoff, David, Weidlich Tanja, Schmidt, Barbara, Grobecker Sonja, Tydykov Leonid, Glück, Thomas, Bertok Manuela

2021

Overview

ObjectiveTo follow serological immune responses of front-line healthcare workers after PCR-confirmed COVID-19 for a mean of 30 weeks, describe the time-course of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-specific IgG, IgA and IgM levels and to identify associations of the immune response with symptoms, demographic parameters and severity of disease.MethodsAnti-SARS-CoV-2 S protein-specific IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies were measured at three time points during the 30-week follow-up. COVID-19-specific symptoms were assessed with standardized questionnaires.Results95% of the participants mounted an IgG response with only modest decline after week 12. IgG-type antibodies were still detectable in almost 90% of the subjects at 30 weeks. IgA and IgM responses were less robust and antibody titers decreased more rapidly. At 30 weeks, only 25% still had detectable IgA-type and none had IgM-type antibodies. Higher age and higher disease severity were independently associated with higher IgG antibody levels, albeit with wide variations.ConclusionSerological immune responses after COVID-19 show considerable inter-individual variability, but show an association with increasing age and higher severity of disease. IgG-type anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies remain positive in 90% of the individuals 30 weeks after onset of symptoms.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Antibodies / Coronaviruses / COVID-19 / IgG antibody / Immune response / Immune system / Immunoglobulin A / Immunoglobulin G / Immunoglobulin M / Medical personnel / Parameter identification / Proteins / Serology / Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 / Signs and symptoms / Spike protein / Viral diseases