Wellcome Open Research (Dec 2024)

Kinetics of naturally induced binding and neutralising anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels and potencies among SARS-CoV-2 infected Kenyans with diverse grades of COVID-19 severity: an observational study [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

  • Mansoor Saleh,
  • Reena Shah,
  • Linda Moranga,
  • Ann Karanu,
  • Jasmit Shah,
  • Viviane Oluoch,
  • Henry Karanja,
  • Alfred Mburu,
  • Julius Mutiso,
  • Peter Betti,
  • Daisy Mugo,
  • Zaitun Nneka,
  • Abdirahman Issak Abdi,
  • Wanzila Usyu Mutinda,
  • George M.Warimwe,
  • Lynette Isabella Ochola-Oyier,
  • James Nyagwange,
  • Yiakon Sein,
  • Francis M. Ndungu,
  • Bernadette Kutima,
  • John N. Gitonga,
  • Philip Bejon,
  • Perpetual Wanjiku,
  • Eunice W. Nduati,
  • Jedidah Mwacharo,
  • Kennedy Mwai,
  • Shahin Sayed,
  • John Kimotho

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8

Abstract

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Background Given the low levels of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine coverage in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA), despite high levels of natural severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) exposures, strategies for extending the breadth and longevity of naturally acquired immunity are warranted. Designing such strategies will require a good understanding of naturally acquired immunity. Methods We measured whole-spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) and spike-receptor binding domain (RBD) total immunoglobulins (Igs) on 585 plasma samples collected longitudinally over five successive time points within six months of COVID-19 diagnosis in 309 COVID-19 patients. We measured antibody-neutralising potency against the wild-type (Wuhan) SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus in a subset of 51 patients over three successive time points. Binding and neutralising antibody levels and potencies were then tested for correlations with COVID-19 severities. Results Rates of seroconversion increased from day 0 (day of PCR testing) to day 180 (six months) (63.6% to 100 %) and (69.3 % to 97%) for anti-spike-IgG and anti-spike-RBD binding Igs, respectively. Levels of these binding antibodies peaked at day 28 (p0.99). Similarly, antibody-neutralising potencies peaked at day 28 (p0.60, p<0.01). Levels and potencies of binding and neutralising antibodies increased with disease severity. Conclusions Most COVID-19 patients generated SARS-CoV-2 specific binding antibodies that remained stable in the first six months of infection. However, the respective neutralising antibodies decayed three-fold by month-six of COVID-19 diagnosis suggesting that they are short-lived, consistent with what has been observed elsewhere in the world. Thus, regular vaccination boosters are required to sustain the high levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 naturally acquired neutralising antibody potencies in our population.

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