Response to: regarding the significance of anti-COVID-IgA antibody response in COVID-19 breakthrough infection

Immunol Res. 2024 Jan 5. doi: 10.1007/s12026-023-09452-7. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

In response to Chen et al.'s comments on our paper regarding the significance of anti-COVID-IgA antibody response in COVID-19 breakthrough infection in vaccinated patients, we have highlighted the role and the scope of this paper in this correspondence. The role of anti-COVID-19-IgA is already known. The objective of the previous study was to see its role in breakthrough-infected patients. To analyse this effect, we recruited patients with COVID-19 infection after they were fully vaccinated and compared them with the vaccinated group who did not get the infection. Both groups were equally exposed to the virus as all of them were health care workers. We also showed that the anti-COVID-19-NP-IgA was absent in the healthy cohort of our study groups, signifying the absence of natural infection in them during this period. The article also highlights the importance of vaccinating all individuals including those who are immunosuppressed, as it prevents severe COVID-19 infection in these individuals. The physicians should be aware of the fact that immunosuppressed patients are more likely to get COVID-19 breakthrough infection. However, proper vaccination with booster doses prevents severe infection in them.

Keywords: Anti-COVID-19-IgA antibodies; Breakthrough infection; COVID-19 vaccination; Severe COVID-19 infection.

Publication types

  • Letter