SARS-CoV-2 Immunoglobulin g (IgG) kinetics in healthcare workers and their close contacts reduced risk of re-infection

ABSTRACT

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for global pandemic, and it has caused more than 2.3 million deaths. Persistence and stability of immunoglobulin G (IgG) response after recovery from COVID-19 infection is still uncertain. Method(s) We performed a longitudinal cohort study in healthcare workers (HCW) and their close contacts (Non-HCW) with known resolved SARS-CoV-2 infection and undiagnosed infection at Maulana Azad Medical College and associated Lok Nayak hospital, New Delhi. Baseline IgG antibody titers was determined and the participants were followed over a period of six months. We also examined relationship between SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) response and new symptomatic infection in HCW and Non-HCW over time. Result(s) 176 (70.9%) healthcare workers and 72 (29.0%) non-healthcare workers were recruited from two cohorts. 82 subjects recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection and 166 undiagnosed for the infection having history of close contact with COVID-19 patients were followed up for a median of 227 days (interquartile range, 166 to 202) after a positive IgG antibody test. In the recovered subjects 70.7% (58) were seropositive for first anti-spike IgG assay at baseline, followed by 80.0%, 90.6% and 82.6% at three visits respectively. In undiagnosed subjects 37.3% (62) were seropositive at baseline, followed by 70.9%, 75.8% and 82.2% respectively. Also, 46.8% (29) were asymptomatic with no symptoms of COVID-19 and were seropositive at baseline. However, presence of IgG antibodies was associated with substantial reduced risk of re-infection over the follow up duration. Conclusion(s) Our data showed that the antibodies levels measured increased over the first three months and decreased slightly after that and remained at a plateau and relatively stable for at least a period of six months. Copyright © 2022 International Medical Sciences Academy. All rights reserved.