Long-Term Persistence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in a Pediatric Population.

Ana Méndez-Echevarría,Olaf Neth,Iker Falces-Romero,Beatriz De Felipe,Cristina Calvo,Sonia Alcolea,Talía Sainz,Lidia Pertiñez,Lucia Escolano

doi:10.3390/pathogens10060700

Ana Méndez-Echevarría, Olaf Neth + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10060700

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Abstract

Background: Antibody dynamics over time after SARS-CoV-2 infection are still unclear, and data regarding children are scarce. Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed including children infected by SARS-CoV-2 between March and May 2020. Patients were categorized into 3 groups: children admitted with COVID-19; outpatient children with mild COVID-19; and seropositive children participating in a seroprevalence study among cohabitants of infected healthcare workers (HCWs). Six months after the infection, a new serological control was performed. Results: A total of 58 children were included, 50% male (median age 8.3 [IQR 2.8–13.5] years). The median time between the two serological studies was 186 (IQR 176–192) days, and 86% (48/56) of the children maintained positive IgG six months after the infection. This percentage was 100% in admitted patients and 78% among the rest of the included children (p = 0.022). The diagnoses of lower respiratory tract infection and multisystemic inflammatory syndrome were associated with persistence of IgG (p = 0.035). The children of HCWs in the seroprevalence study lost antibodies more often (p = 0.017). Initial IgG titers of the children who remained positive six months after the infection were significantly higher (p = 0.008). Conclusions: Most children infected by SARS-CoV-2 maintain a positive serological response six months after the infection. Those children who lost their IgG titer were more frequently asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, presenting with low antibody titers after the infection.

Highlights

One year after the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, understanding the dynamics of the humoral immune response to the virus remains a challenge
COVID-19; children under follow-up at the outpatient clinic with mild forms of disease; and children participating in a seroprevalence study among cohabitants of healthcare workers (HCWs) infected by SARS-CoV-2, who had experienced a mild or asymptomatic condition [7]
Were patients under follow-up after admission due to COVID-19; 9 (15.5%) were followed at the outpatient clinic because of mild COVID-19; and the remaining 28 (48.2%) were children of infected HCWs who turned out to be seropositive after the first pandemic wave

Summary

Introduction

One year after the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, understanding the dynamics of the humoral immune response to the virus remains a challenge. Most authors highlight that disease severity underlines the magnitude of the immune response, with significantly higher antibody titers among adults with severe COVID-19 [3,4,5,6]. The median time between the two serological studies was 186 (IQR 176–192) days, and 86% (48/56) of the children maintained positive IgG six months after the infection. This percentage was 100% in admitted patients and 78% among the rest of the included children (p = 0.022). Conclusions: Most children infected by SARS-CoV-2 maintain a positive serological response six months after the infection.

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