Neutralizing antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 persists 9 months post symptom onset in mild and asymptomatic patients

ABSTRACT: Objective: A better understanding of the immune response against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is critical to predict its dynamics within the general population and its impact on the vaccination strategy. This study assessed the persistence of neut...

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Main Authors: Olivier Bylicki, David Delarbre, Aurélie Mayet, Audrey Ferrier, Anne Perisse, Carine Malle, Jacques Cobola, Antoine Bronstein, Nastasia Menoud, Elodie Valero-Biance, Olivier Ferraris, Frédéric Janvier, Jean-Nicolas Tournier
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2021-11-01
Series:International Journal of Infectious Diseases
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971221007074
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Summary:ABSTRACT: Objective: A better understanding of the immune response against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is critical to predict its dynamics within the general population and its impact on the vaccination strategy. This study assessed the persistence of neutralizing antibody (Nab) activity and SARS-CoV-2 serology in serum samples of mild and asymptomatic patients 9 months post symptom onset (PSO) in a primary care context among immunocompetent adults. Methods: A longitudinal cohort of crew members (CMs) exposed to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 on the French aircraft carrier ‘Charles de Gaulle’ in April 2020 was created. CMs infected with COVID-19 and with positive serology at the end of quarantine were tested 9 months PSO. Samples were collected 18 and 280 days PSO. For each patient, both serology and serum viral neutralizing activity were performed. Results: In total, 86 CMs were analysed. Samples were collected 18 and 280 days PSO. The seroconversion rates were 100% and 93% (82/86) at 18 and 280 days PSO, respectively, and 72.7% of patients exhibited persistent Nab activity at 9 months, regardless of disease severity. Conclusion: Nab activity persists for up to 9 months following asymptomatic/mild COVID-19 among young adults, regardless of serological results.
ISSN:1201-9712