ABSTRACT
AIM: Healthcare workers (HCWs) were among the first group of people vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine (BNT162b2). Characterization of the kinetics of antibody response to vaccination is important to devise future vaccination strategies. To better characterize the antibody response to BNT162b2, we analyzed the kinetics of IgG and IgM antibody response to 5 different SARS-CoV-2 epitopes over a period of 6 months. METHODS AND RESULTS: An observational single-centered study was conducted to evaluate the temporal dynamics of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies following immunization with two doses of BNT162b2. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were assessed using the Maverick SARS-CoV-2 multi-antigen panel (Genalyte Inc.). Healthcare workers aged ≥18 receiving BNT162b2 vaccination who self-reported no prior symptoms of COVID-19 nor prior COVID-19 PCR test positivity, were included in this study. HCWs developed an IgG antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 Spike S1, Spike S1 receptor binding domain (RBD), Spike S1S2 and Spike S2 after vaccination. IgG response was observed at two weeks following immunization in most participant samples and continued to increase at week 4, but subsequently decreased significantly starting at 3 months and up to 6 months. In contrast, IgM response to respective epitopes was minimal. CONCLUSION: Multiplex results demonstrate that, contrary to natural infection, immunization with BNT162b2 produces minimal anti-Spike IgM response. Polyclonal IgG response to Spike declined at 3 months and continued to do so up to 6 months.
Subject(s)
BNT162 Vaccine , COVID-19 , Antibodies, Viral , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines , Epitopes , Health Personnel , Humans , Immunoglobulin G , Immunoglobulin M , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
AIM: This study investigated the humoral response against SARS-CoV-2 in patients needing intensive care unit (ICU) care compared with those on general medicine wards. MATERIALS & METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed 113 hospitalized patients with COVID-19. They assessed antibody response against five SARS-CoV-2 epitopes at 6-14 days post symptom onset in these patients. RESULTS: Patients with ICU admissions had decreased anti-nucleocapsid immunoglobulin (Ig)M and increased anti-spike IgG compared with patients not requiring the ICU. IgG levels were positively correlated with length of stay. CONCLUSION: Higher levels of IgG against the spike protein correlate with COVID-19 disease severity and length of stay in hospitalized patients. This adds to the knowledge of biochemical response to clinical disease and may help predict ICU needs.
ABSTRACT
Aim: This study investigated the humoral response against SARS-CoV-2 in patients needing intensive care unit (ICU) care compared with those on general medicine wards. Materials & methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed 113 hospitalized patients with COVID-19. They assessed antibody response against five SARS-CoV-2 epitopes at 6–14 days post symptom onset in these patients. Results: Patients with ICU admissions had decreased anti-nucleocapsid immunoglobulin (Ig)M and increased anti-spike IgG compared with patients not requiring the ICU. IgG levels were positively correlated with length of stay. Conclusion: Higher levels of IgG against the spike protein correlate with COVID-19 disease severity and length of stay in hospitalized patients. This adds to the knowledge of biochemical response to clinical disease and may help predict ICU needs. Plain language summary This study analyzed blood samples in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at 6–14 days after their initial symptom onset. Those who needed care in the intensive care unit had lower levels of an early antibody (IgM) to a protein inside the virus and higher levels of a later antibody (IgG) to the spike protein on the outer viral membrane. Higher IgG levels were also associated with longer hospital stays.