Durability of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies from Natural Infection in Children and Adolescents

  

View ORCID ProfileSarah E. Messiah, Frances Brito, Harold W. Kohl III, Stacia DeSantis, Melissa Valerio-Shewmaker, Jessica Ross, Michael D. Swartz, Ashraf Yaseen, Steven H. Kelder, Shiming Zhang, Onyinye S Omega-Njemnobi, Michael O. Gonzalez, Leqing Wu, Eric Boerwinkle, David Lakey, Jennifer A. Shuford, Stephen J. Pont

doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.11.21.21266484

This article is a preprint and has not been certified by peer review [what does this mean?]. It reports new medical research that has yet to be evaluated and so should not be used to guide clinical practice.

PDF: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.11.21.21266484v1.full.pdf

Abstract

Background Recent data suggest the SARS-CoV-2 Delta (B.1.617.2) variant is more transmissible among children compared to the Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant. The true incidence and longitudinal presence of antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection is not known, however. We provided estimates of antibody response using Texas Coronavirus Antibody REsponse Survey (Texas CARES) data, a prospective population-based seroprevalence project designed to assess antibody status over time among the general population throughout the state.

Methods In October 2020 Texas CARES began enrolling adults (aged 20-80 years) and children (aged 5-19 years). Participants were offered a series of three SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests over 6-8 months, or every 2-3 months that includes the immunoassay for detection of antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (Roche N-test). Descriptive characteristics and COVID-19 infection-related symptom status was determined by questionnaire at the time of enrollment and prior to each successive blood draw. This analysis included participants ages 5-to-19 years old who have completed all three antibody assessments.

Results From our sample (n=159; mean age 12.5 years, SD 3.6), 96% of those with evidence of nucleocapsid antibodies at baseline assessment continued to have antibodies > six months later (mean 7.0 months, SD 0.97). There was no difference in the presence of antibodies by symptom status (asymptotic versus symptomatic) or severity (mild-moderate versus severe), sex, age group, or body mass index group (underweight, healthy weight, overweight, obesity) over the three antibody measurement timepoints.

Conclusions These results suggest that infection-induced antibodies persist and thus may provide some protection against future infection for at least half a year. 57.9% of the sample were negative for infection-induced antibodies at their third measurement point, suggesting a significant proportion of children have still not acquired natural infection.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funding Statement

This study was funded by Texas Department of State Health Services (Contract #HHS000866600001).

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.11.21.21266484v1