ABSTRACT
High priority efforts are under way to support the development of novel mucosal COVID-19 vaccines, such as the US Governments Project NextGen and the Center for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) goal to respond to the next pandemic with a new vaccine in 100 days. However, there is limited consensus about the complementary role of mucosal immunity in disease progression and how the immunogenicity of mucosal vaccines will be evaluated. This study investigated the role of oral mucosal antibody responses in viral clearance and in COVID-19 symptom duration. Participants with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection provided oral fluid for testing with SARS-CoV-2 antibody multiplex assays, nasal swabs for RT-PCR and symptom information at up to eight follow-ups from April 2020 to February 2022. High and moderate oral fluid anti-spike (S) SIgA post infection was associated with significantly higher likelihood of viral clearance and of COVID-19 symptom resolution across age groups. Those with high and moderate anti-S SIgA cleared the virus and recovered 14 days (95% CI: 10-18 days) and 9-10 days (95% CI: 6-14 days) earlier, respectively. Delayed but higher oral fluid anti-S IgG was associated with significantly longer time to viral clearance and recovery. The effect size of moderate or high SIgA was equivalent to prior COVID-19 vaccine immunity, which was also associated with faster clearance and recovery. Unvaccinated adults with prolonged COVID-19 symptoms had significantly lower anti-RBD SIgA 15-30 days after infection onset (p<0.001). Robust mucosal SIgA early post infection appears to support faster clearance of SARS-CoV-2 and recovery from COVID-19 symptoms. This research underscores the importance of harmonizing mucosal immune response assays to evaluate new vaccines that can boost local mucosal immunity. DisclaimerThe findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.