Progressive and Parallel Decline of Humoral and T-Cell Immunity in Convalescent Healthcare Workers with Asymptomatic or Mild-to-Moderate Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection

J Infect Dis. 2021 Jul 15;224(2):241-245. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiab242.

Abstract

We investigated the duration of humoral and T-cell immune response in paired samples among 22 convalescent healthcare workers (HCWs). A median of 1.8 months after diagnosis, T-cell response was significantly lower in HCWs with early loss of antibodies (6 cases [27%]). After 5.1 months, antibody decline was observed in 77% of cases (41% seroreverted; P < .01), and 36% had lost T-cell response (75% lost response to spike protein). Persistence of immune response was observed in those who developed a greater adaptive immune response. Our data point to the initial immune response as the relevant player in coronavirus disease 2019 duration of protection.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; adaptive immune response; convalescent; duration; healthcare workers; immune response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • COVID-19 / immunology*
  • Convalescence*
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Health Personnel / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Humoral*
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Cytokines
  • Interferon-gamma