Persistence and baseline determinants of seropositivity and reinfection rates in health care workers up to 12.5 months after COVID-19

BMC Med. 2021 Jun 28;19(1):155. doi: 10.1186/s12916-021-02032-2.

Abstract

We assessed the duration and baseline determinants of antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 spike antigens and the occurrence of reinfections in a prospective cohort of 173 Spanish primary health care worker patients followed initially for 9 months and subsequently up to 12.5 months after COVID-19 symptoms onset. Seropositivity to SARS-CoV-2 spike and receptor-binding domain antigens up to 149-270 days was 92.49% (90.17% IgG, 76.3% IgA, 60.69% IgM). In a subset of 64 health care workers who had not yet been vaccinated by April 2021, seropositivity was 96.88% (95.31% IgG, 82.81% IgA) up to 322-379 days post symptoms onset. Four suspected reinfections were detected by passive case detection, two among seronegative individuals (5 and 7 months after the first episode), and one low antibody responder. Antibody levels significantly correlated with fever, hospitalization, anosmia/hypogeusia, allergies, smoking, and occupation. Stable sustainment of IgG responses raises hope for long-lasting COVID-19 vaccine immunity.

Keywords: Antibodies; Baseline determinants; COVID-19; Cohort; Duration; Health care workers; Kinetics; Reinfection; SARS-CoV-2; Spike antigen.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • COVID-19 / blood
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Personnel / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reinfection / blood
  • Reinfection / epidemiology
  • Reinfection / virology
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Spain / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • COVID-19 Vaccines