ABSTRACT
Background Heterogeneity of the population in relation to infection, COVID-19 vaccination and host characteristics is likely reflected in the underlying SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses.Methods We measured IgM, IgA and IgG levels against SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid antigens in 1,076 adults of a cohort study in Catalonia between June-November 2020 and a second time between May-July 2021. Questionnaire data and electronic health records on vaccination and COVID-19 testing were available in both periods.Results Antibody seroreversion occurred in 35.8% of the 64 participants infected almost a year ago and non-vaccinated, and was related to asymptomatic infection, age above 60 years and smoking. Among vaccinated, 2.1% did not present antibodies at the time of testing. In previously infected individuals, vaccination boosted the immune response and there was a slight but statistically significant increase in responses after a 2nd compared to 1st dose. Infected vaccinated participants had superior antibody levels across time compared to naïve vaccinated people. mRNA vaccines and, particularly the Spikevax, induced higher antibodies after 1st and 2nd doses compared to Vaxzevria or Janssen COVID-19 vaccines. In multivariable regression analyses, antibody responses after vaccination were predicted by type of vaccine, infection age, sex, smoking, mental and cardiovascular diseases.Conclusions Our data support that infected people would benefit from vaccination. Results also indicate that hybrid immunity results in superior antibody responses and infection-naïve people would need a booster dose earlier than previously infected people. Mental diseases are associated with less efficient response to vaccination.
Subject(s)
COVID-19ABSTRACT
IntroductionDuring the first lockdown in Spain (March-June, 2020) essential workers may have been at increased risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) via occupational exposure. Results from published studies are heterogeneous.MethodsOngoing population-based cohort studies from Catalonia were pooled to form the COVICAT study. A random sub-population donated a blood sample (May-July, 2020) for validated multiplex serology testing. Occupational analyses were restricted to working age (18–65 years). Participants responded to a web-based or telephone survey including questions on socio-demographics, pre-pandemic health, behavioural and environmental risk factors. Occupational questions covered mode of work (e.g. telework), job title, availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), and mode of commuting. Job titles were coded by an occupational hygienist to the Spanish CNO-11 and cross-walked to ISCO-08. COVID-19 cases were defined by symptoms or hospitalisation and SARS CoV-2 seropositivity based on immune responses to 15 isotype-antigen combinations (serology sub-cohort). Logistic regression models were built for type of work, job titles and job-exposure matrix (JEM), covering several dimensions and levels of SARS-CoV-2 transmission probabilities , and adjusted for age, sex, education, deprivation index, population density and survey type.ResultsThis analysis included 8,582 participants, of which 3,599 were tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, median (SD) age 53.7 (6.3) years, 59.9% were women. The relative risk for COVID-19 for work in the usual workplace compared to telework was 1.87 (95% CI: 1.44, 2.42), and 1.44 (95% CI: 1.09, 1.90) among the serology study. The relative risk for nurses who worked in their usual workplace was 4.57 (95% CI: 3.12, 6.7). Detailed results by job title, JEM, availability of PPE and commuting mode will be presented.ConclusionsThis study has several strengths, including random serology testing and individual-level exposure data. Detailed results may support extended legal definitions of COVID-19 as a recognized occupational disease.
ABSTRACT
Sparse data exist on the complex natural immunity to SARS-CoV-2 at the population level. We applied a well-validated multiplex serology test in 5000 participants of a general population study in Catalonia in blood samples collected from end June to mid November 2020. Based on responses to fifteen isotype-antigen combinations, we detected a seroprevalence of 18.1% in adults (n=4740), and modeled extrapolation to the general population of Catalonia indicated a 15.3% seroprevalence. Antibodies persistedup to 9 months after infection. Immune profiling of infected individuals revealed that with increasing severity of infection (asymptomatic, 1-3 symptoms, ≥4 symptoms, admitted to hospital/ICU), seroresponses were more robust and rich with a shift towardsIgG over IgA and anti-spike over anti-nucleocapsid responses. Among seropositive participants, lower antibody levels were observed for those ≥60 years vs <60 years old and smokers vs non-smokers. Overweight/obese participants vs normal weight had higher antibody levels. Adolescents (13-15 years old) (n=260) showed aseroprevalence of 11.5%, were less likely to be tested seropositive compared to their parentsand had dominant anti-spike rather than anti-nucleocapside IgG responses. Our study provides an unbiased estimate of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Catalonia and new evidence on the durability and heterogeneity of post-infection immunity.