COVID-19 Antibodies Provide Lasting Immunity, Says Study

Immunity persisted for several months after being infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, stated new research published in the journal Immunity.

Researchers studied the production of antibodies from a sample of nearly 6,000 people to see the results.

"We clearly see high-quality antibodies still being produced five to seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection," said study author Deepta Bhattacharya from the University of Arizona in the US.

‘People who were infected with the first SARS coronavirus, which is the most similar virus to SARS-CoV-2, are still seeing immunity 17 years after infection.’

When the virus first infects the cells, the immune system deployed short-lived plasma cells. The plasma cells produce antibodies to fight the virus that causes COVID-19. These antibodies appeared in the blood tests within 14 days of infection.

During the second stage of the immune response, long-lived plasma cells are created-these plasma cells produced high-quality antibodies that provide lasting immunity.

SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were present in blood tests at viable levels for at least five to seven months, although they believe immunity lasts much longer.

"The latest time-points we tracked in infected individuals were past seven months, so that is the longest period of time we can confirm immunity lasts," Bhattacharya said.

Source: Medindia