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Persistent symptoms after COVID-19 are not associated with differential SARS-CoV-2 antibody or T cell immunity

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel M. Altmann

    (Imperial College London)

  • Catherine J. Reynolds

    (Imperial College London)

  • George Joy

    (Barts Health NHS Trust
    University College London)

  • Ashley D. Otter

    (UK Health Security Agency)

  • Joseph M. Gibbons

    (Queen Mary University of London)

  • Corinna Pade

    (Queen Mary University of London)

  • Leo Swadling

    (University College London)

  • Mala K. Maini

    (University College London)

  • Tim Brooks

    (UK Health Security Agency)

  • Amanda Semper

    (UK Health Security Agency)

  • Áine McKnight

    (Queen Mary University of London)

  • Mahdad Noursadeghi

    (University College London)

  • Charlotte Manisty

    (Barts Health NHS Trust
    University College London)

  • Thomas A. Treibel

    (Barts Health NHS Trust
    University College London)

  • James C. Moon

    (Barts Health NHS Trust
    University College London)

  • Rosemary J. Boyton

    (Imperial College London
    Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust)

Abstract

Among the unknowns in decoding the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 persistent symptoms in Long Covid is whether there is a contributory role of abnormal immunity during acute infection. It has been proposed that Long Covid is a consequence of either an excessive or inadequate initial immune response. Here, we analyze SARS-CoV-2 humoral and cellular immunity in 86 healthcare workers with laboratory confirmed mild or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first wave. Symptom questionnaires allow stratification into those with persistent symptoms and those without for comparison. During the period up to 18-weeks post-infection, we observe no difference in antibody responses to spike RBD or nucleoprotein, virus neutralization, or T cell responses. Also, there is no difference in the profile of antibody waning. Analysis at 1-year, after two vaccine doses, comparing those with persistent symptoms to those without, again shows similar SARS-CoV-2 immunity. Thus, quantitative differences in these measured parameters of SARS-CoV-2 adaptive immunity following mild or asymptomatic acute infection are unlikely to have contributed to Long Covid causality. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04318314).

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel M. Altmann & Catherine J. Reynolds & George Joy & Ashley D. Otter & Joseph M. Gibbons & Corinna Pade & Leo Swadling & Mala K. Maini & Tim Brooks & Amanda Semper & Áine McKnight & Mahdad Noursad, 2023. "Persistent symptoms after COVID-19 are not associated with differential SARS-CoV-2 antibody or T cell immunity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-40460-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40460-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Leo Swadling & Mariana O. Diniz & Nathalie M. Schmidt & Oliver E. Amin & Aneesh Chandran & Emily Shaw & Corinna Pade & Joseph M. Gibbons & Nina Bert & Anthony T. Tan & Anna Jeffery-Smith & Cedric C. S, 2022. "Pre-existing polymerase-specific T cells expand in abortive seronegative SARS-CoV-2," Nature, Nature, vol. 601(7891), pages 110-117, January.
    2. Christian Gaebler & Zijun Wang & Julio C. C. Lorenzi & Frauke Muecksch & Shlomo Finkin & Minami Tokuyama & Alice Cho & Mila Jankovic & Dennis Schaefer-Babajew & Thiago Y. Oliveira & Melissa Cipolla & , 2021. "Evolution of antibody immunity to SARS-CoV-2," Nature, Nature, vol. 591(7851), pages 639-644, March.
    3. Callard, Felicity & Perego, Elisa, 2021. "How and why patients made Long Covid," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
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