Assay dependence of long-term kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies

Anneleen Schallier; Sarah De Baets; Dirk De Bruyne; Kenny Dauwe; Margaux Herpol; Pedro Couck

doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2021.115403

Assay dependence of long-term kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2021 Aug;100(4):115403. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2021.115403. Epub 2021 Apr 22.

Authors

Anneleen Schallier¹, Sarah De Baets², Dirk De Bruyne², Kenny Dauwe², Margaux Herpol², Pedro Couck²

Affiliations

¹ Cerba Healthcare Belgium, CRI, Zwijnaarde, Belgium. Electronic address: aschallier@cri.be.
² Cerba Healthcare Belgium, CRI, Zwijnaarde, Belgium.

Abstract

Since the worldwide outbreak of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), the question raised whether infected patients would elicit long-lasting protective immunity. Several companies developed serological assays for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. In this study, we compared 4 different serology assays in convalescents up to 7 months post-infection. Both Abbott assays showed a significative decrease of IgG antibodies over time. Whereas the Elecsys Anti‑SARS‑CoV‑2 N assay (Roche) initially showed a significant increase, antibody titers significantly decreased at the latest timepoint. Although not significant, the Elecsys Anti‑SARS‑CoV‑2 S assay (Roche) showed tendency towards increasing titers overtime. Our data showed that results of SARS-CoV-2 serology should be interpreted with caution.

Keywords: Covid-19; Immunoassay; Long-term kinetics; SARS-CoV-2.

MeSH terms

Antibodies, Viral / blood*
Antibodies, Viral / metabolism
COVID-19 / blood*
COVID-19 / immunology
COVID-19 Serological Testing / methods*
Humans
Immunoglobulin G / blood*
Immunoglobulin G / metabolism
SARS-CoV-2 / immunology*
Sensitivity and Specificity
Time Factors

Substances

Antibodies, Viral
Immunoglobulin G