Kinetics of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 infection according to sex, age, and disease severity

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 12; no. 1; p. 13491
• Main Authors: Kim, Yoonjung, Bae, Joon-Yong, Kwon, Kitae, Chang, Hyun-Ha, Lee, Won Kee, Park, Heedo, Kim, Jeonghun, Choi, Isaac, Park, Man-Seong, Kim, Shin-Woo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group 05.08.2022; Nature Publishing Group UK; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: Age; Antibodies; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Kinetics; Neutralization; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Sex; Vaccination
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17605-1

Abstract Knowledge of the factors affecting the difference in kinetics and longevity of the neutralizing antibody (nAb) response to SARS-CoV-2 is necessary to properly prioritize vaccination. In the present study, from March to December 2020, of the 143 patients who recovered from COVID-19, 87 underwent study visits scheduled every 3 months. Patient demographics and blood samples were collected followed by a plaque reduction neutralization test to analyze nAb titers. A linear mixed model was used to compare the effects of sex, age, and disease severity over time. Results demonstrated a gradual reduction in nAb titers over time with a significant decrease from 6 to 9 months post-COVID-19 infection ( p  < 0.001). In time-to-sex, age, and disease severity comparisons, reduction in nAb titers over time was unaffected by sex ( p  = 0.167), age ( p  = 0.188), or disease severity ( p  = 0.081). Additionally, the nAb titer was 1.46 times significantly higher in those aged ≥ 50 years than in those aged < 50 years ( p  = 0.036) irrespective of time Moreover, the nAb titer was 2.41 times higher in the moderate or above than that in the below moderate disease severity group ( p  < 0.001). However, no significant differences were observed in terms of sex ( p  = 0.300). Given the reduction in nAbs over time, maintaining protective neutralizing antibodies regardless of sex, age, or disease severity is needed.