COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 antibodies remain stable for 7 months after infection, says study

Healthcare workers' IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 remain constant, if not increasing, seven months after infection, according to a new study published in journal Nature Communications on Friday, August 6. Covid-19 could also be protected from by pre-existing antibodies against common cold coronaviruses, according to researchers at Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) in Spain. It is critical to understand dynamics and duration of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in order to predict pandemic's evolution and develop effective strategies, y wrote.

level of antibodies against different SARS-CoV-2 antigens was tracked over time in a sample of healthcare workers at beginning of pandemic. ISGlobal researcher Carlota Dobano, who led study, said, "This is first study that evaluates antibodies to such a large panel of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies over 7 months." A total of 578 blood samples were collected between March and October 2020.

In dition, y examined presence of antibodies against four coronaviruses causing common colds in humans. y measured amount and of antibodies against six different SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Antibodies' neutralising activity was also examined in collaboration with researchers from Barcelona University.

Most infections during first covid wave

Health care workers were infected most frequently during first pandemic wave, according to study's findings. As a result of this, or recent studies have confirmed that all IgG antibodies, with exception of those directed against nucleocapsid (N), remain stable over time. All body fluids and tissues contain Immunoglobulin G (IgG), most abundant form of antibody. se antibodies are produced towards end of infection process and y are vital for body's recovery.

Gemma Moncunill, senior co-author of study, said, "Rar surprisingly, we even saw an increase of IgG anti-spike antibodies in 75 percent of participants from month five onwards, without any evidence of re-exposure to virus." researchers found no evidence of reinfections in cohort. Antibodies against human coronaviruses (HCoV) may also protect against COVID-19 infection, according to study.

According to researchers, people who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 h lower levels of HCoV antibodies. According to researchers, asymptomatic individuals h higher levels of anti-HCoV IgG and IgA than those with symptoms. Carlota Dobano ded, "Although cross-protection by pre-existing immunity to common cold coronaviruses remains to be confirmed, this could help explain big differences in susceptibility to disease within population."

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