Covid antibodies last at least 5 months: Study

October 29, 2020 11:55

A vast majority of individuals infected with mild-to-moderate Covid-19 mount a "robust" defence via antibodies that is relatively stable for "at least five months", according to a new study which says this immune response significantly reduces the risk of re-infection with the novel coronavirus. The research, published in the journal Science, found that this antibody response correlates with the body's ability to neutralise the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.

"While some reports have come out saying antibodies to this virus go away quickly, we have found just the opposite -- that more than 90 per cent of people who were mildly or moderately ill produce an antibody response strong enough to neutralise the virus, and the response is maintained for many months," said Florian Krammer, a senior author of the study from The Mount Sinai Hospital in the US.

"Uncovering the robustness of the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2, including its longevity and neutralising effects, is critically important to enabling us to effectively monitor seroprevalence in communities and to determining the duration and levels of antibody that protect us from reinfection," Krammer said.

To screen individuals, the scientists used an antibody test called an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the virus' telltale spike protein which enables it to attach and gain entry into our cells. In the study, the researchers set up antibody test results using distinct dilutions of patient serum set at 1:80, 1:160, 1:320, 1:960, or 1:2880 and higher levels (titres). They explained that these scores are generated by the number of times the scientists can dilute a patient's serum and still be able to detect the presence of antibodies. -- PTI

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