Retrospective analysis of 426 donors of a convalescent collective after mild COVID-19

  • \(\bf Background\) The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread across the world. The aim of our study was to characterize mild courses and to determine the antibody status for these patients. \(\bf Methods\) We initiated an appeal for convalescent plasma donations. 615 people contacted us, and we ultimately included 426 in our analyses, in whom it was possible to assume COVID-19 based on detection of specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies or virus detection during the disease using RT-PCR. \(\bf Results\) The median duration of the disease was 12 days and the most common symptoms were fatigue, cough and olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG was detected in 82.4% of the persons and IgA antibodies were found in 73.9%. In 10.8%, no antibodies were detectable despite a positive RT-PCR result during the disease. Nevertheless, of 24 persons with asymptomatic courses of COVID-19, antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 could be detected in 23 (96%). Furthermore, there was a correlation between the duration of the disease and the detection of IgG antibodies. In addition, a correlation between the determined IgG antibodies and neutralizing antibodies was shown. \(\bf Conclusion\) In this study, we were able to describe mild COVID-19 courses and determine antibody statuses for them. It could be shown that, despite SARS-CoV-2 detection during the disease, not all individuals developed antibodies or their level of antibodies had dropped below the detection limit shortly after the end of the disease. The extent to which immunity to re-infection is given in persons with undetectable antibodies (IgG, IgA) needs to be investigated in future studies.

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Metadaten
Author:Tobias FliederGND, Tanja VollmerGND, Benjamin MüllerGND, Jens DreierGND, Bastian FischerGND, Cornelius KnabbeGND, Ingvild BirschmannORCiDGND
URN:urn:nbn:de:hbz:294-87422
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247665
Parent Title (English):PLoS ONE
Publisher:Public Library of Science
Place of publication:San Francisco
Document Type:Article
Language:English
Date of Publication (online):2022/03/22
Date of first Publication:2021/02/23
Publishing Institution:Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsbibliothek
Tag:Open Access Fonds
Volume:16
Issue:2, Artikel e0247665
First Page:e0247665-1
Last Page:e0247665-14
Note:
Article Processing Charge funded by the Open Access Publication Fund of Ruhr-Universität Bochum.
Institutes/Facilities:Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Institut für Laboratoriums- und Transfusionsmedizin
Dewey Decimal Classification:Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften / Medizin, Gesundheit
open_access (DINI-Set):open_access
Licence (English):License LogoCreative Commons - CC BY 4.0 - Attribution 4.0 International