The effect of interferon-alpha-2b therapy on humoral immunity after COVID-19 infection

Abstract

Salivary IgA is an available marker of mucosal immunity and may be useful in assessing the immune response. Correction of adverse effects after coronavirus infection can be achieved with the use of interferon-alpha-2b therapy. <b>Aim:</b> To study and evaluate changes in the level of secretory IgA in saliva sample of patients who underwent COVID-19 before and after interferon-alpha-2b therapy. <b>Methods:</b> Saliva samples from 65 patients aged 18 to 65 years after COVID-19 with a disease duration of up to 6 months. In our study 83,0% (n=54) of adults were women, the average age in the group was 48±1,61 years. Levels of sIgA were determined by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) before the use of interferon-alpha-2b and 1 month after preventive therapy (topically on the nasal mucosa). <b>Results:</b> In patients after coronavirus infection a decrease in the level of the initial sIgA in saliva samples to 2,34 ± 0,3 pg/ml was detected, compared with the conditional norm of 3,5-12 pg/ml. After therapy with interferon-alpha-2b, an increase in the level of secretory IgA was noted by almost 2 times, which was 4,62± 1,13 pg/ml. <b>Conclusion:</b> When administration interferon-alpha-2b during the rehabilitation period in patients who underwent COVID-19, nonspecific stimulation of mucosal immunity was established, which is accompanied by normalization of the level of sIgA in saliva.