Dynamic changes in anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies during SARS-CoV-2 infection and recovery from COVID-19

Kening Li, Bin Huang, Min Wu, Aifang Zhong, Lu Li, Yun Cai, Zhihua Wang, Lingxiang Wu, Mengyan Zhu, Jie Li, Ziyu Wang, Wei Wu, Wanlin Li, Bakwatanisa Bosco, Zhenhua Gan, Qinghua Qiao, Jian Wu, Qianghu Wang (), Shukui Wang () and Xinyi Xia ()
Additional contact information
Kening Li: The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research
Bin Huang: Nanjing Medical University
Min Wu: Nanjing Medical University
Aifang Zhong: Medical Technical Support Division, the 904th Hospital
Lu Li: Nanjing Medical University
Yun Cai: Nanjing Medical University
Zhihua Wang: Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital
Lingxiang Wu: Nanjing Medical University
Mengyan Zhu: Nanjing Medical University
Jie Li: Nanjing Medical University
Ziyu Wang: Nanjing Medical University
Wei Wu: Nanjing Medical University
Wanlin Li: Nanjing Medical University
Bakwatanisa Bosco: Nanjing Medical University
Zhenhua Gan: Nanjing University School of Medicine
Qinghua Qiao: Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital
Jian Wu: Nanjing University School of Medicine
Qianghu Wang: The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research
Shukui Wang: Nanjing Medical University
Xinyi Xia: Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Deciphering the dynamic changes in antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 is essential for understanding the immune response in COVID-19 patients. Here we analyze the laboratory findings of 1,850 patients to describe the dynamic changes of the total antibody, spike protein (S)-, receptor-binding domain (RBD)-, and nucleoprotein (N)-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and G (IgG) levels during SARS-CoV-2 infection and recovery. The generation of S-, RBD-, and N-specific IgG occurs one week later in patients with severe/critical COVID-19 compared to patients with mild/moderate disease, while S- and RBD-specific IgG levels are 1.5-fold higher in severe/critical patients during hospitalization. The RBD-specific IgG levels are 4-fold higher in older patients than in younger patients during hospitalization. In addition, the S- and RBD-specific IgG levels are 2-fold higher in the recovered patients who are SARS-CoV-2 RNA negative than those who are RNA positive. Lower S-, RBD-, and N-specific IgG levels are associated with a lower lymphocyte percentage, higher neutrophil percentage, and a longer duration of viral shedding. Patients with low antibody levels on discharge might thereby have a high chance of being tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA after recovery. Our study provides important information for COVID-19 diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine development.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19943-y

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