Viruses (May 2021)

Kinetics of Neutralizing Antibodies of COVID-19 Patients Tested Using Clinical D614G, B.1.1.7, and B 1.351 Isolates in Microneutralization Assays

  • Jenni Virtanen,
  • Ruut Uusitalo,
  • Essi M. Korhonen,
  • Kirsi Aaltonen,
  • Teemu Smura,
  • Suvi Kuivanen,
  • Sari H. Pakkanen,
  • Sointu Mero,
  • Anu Patjas,
  • Marianna Riekkinen,
  • Anu Kantele,
  • Visa Nurmi,
  • Klaus Hedman,
  • Jussi Hepojoki,
  • Tarja Sironen,
  • Eili Huhtamo,
  • Olli Vapalahti

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/v13060996
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 6
p. 996

Abstract

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Increasing evidence suggests that some newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VoCs) resist neutralization by antibodies elicited by the early-pandemic wild-type virus. We applied neutralization tests to paired recoveree sera (n = 38) using clinical isolates representing the first wave (D614G), VoC1, and VoC2 lineages (B.1.1.7 and B 1.351). Neutralizing antibodies inhibited contemporary and VoC1 lineages, whereas inhibition of VoC2 was reduced 8-fold, with 50% of sera failing to show neutralization. These results provide evidence for the increased potential of VoC2 to reinfect previously SARS-CoV-infected individuals. The kinetics of NAbs in different patients showed similar decline against all variants, with generally low initial anti-B.1.351 responses becoming undetectable, but with anti-B.1.1.7 NAbs remaining detectable (>20) for months after acute infection.

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