Investigating the Seroconversion Patterns of Specific Antibodies Against Various Antigens of SARS-CoV-2 in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients and Vaccinated Individuals

AuthorShahrzad Matinfaren
AuthorSahar Mortezagholien
AuthorDarya Amirien
AuthorHossein Pashaiefaren
AuthorMaryam Eskandarianen
AuthorSomayeh Ghadimien
AuthorMohammad Farzad Nazarien
AuthorShole Tavakolien
AuthorMelika Valizadehen
AuthorSaeed Namakien
AuthorPayam Tabarsien
AuthorMehdi Boutrabien
AuthorMahdi Shabanien
OrcidPayam Tabarsi [0000-0002-8932-5420]en
OrcidMahdi Shabani [0000-0002-7084-5709]en
Issued Date2024-02-29en
AbstractBackground: Inducing a humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 may partially control virus dissemination. However, there is a lack of consistency in the reported kinetics of IgM and IgG responses to SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, the humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 may differ from that elicited by vaccination. Therefore, we were motivated to evaluate the kinetics of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in both infected and vaccinated individuals. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the seroconversion patterns of specific antibodies against various antigens of SARS-CoV-2 in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and vaccinated individuals, focusing specifically on comparing the humoral responses elicited by infection and vaccination. Methods: Serial blood and swab samples were collected from 134 COVID-19 patients at six time points following admission. Real-time RT-PCR specific for SARS-CoV-2, as well as anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG, were tested using ELISA. Additionally, 141 serum samples were obtained from vaccinated individuals. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike and RBD IgGs, along with neutralizing antibodies (NAs), were assessed using ELISA in both the vaccinated group and 96 COVID-19 patients. Results: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM was found positive in 23.3% of patients at 0 - 7 days after symptom onset, with seropositivity increasing to 71.7% at 15 - 21 days. Subsequently, IgM positivity gradually decreased to 62.7% at > 28 days post-symptom onset. Meanwhile, anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG was positive in 28.3% of patients at 0 -7 days, rising to 83.7% at 22 - 28 days after symptom onset, and remained constant thereafter. Anti-spike and RBD IgGs, along with NAs, were detected in 89.7%, 87.4%, and 87.9% of vaccinated individuals, respectively, and in 37.5%, 32.3%, and 32.3% of COVID-19 patients, respectively. There was a significant correlation between anti-spike IgG and anti-RBD IgG levels and NAs in both COVID-19-infected and vaccinated individuals. The mean concentrations of anti-spike and RBD IgGs were higher in vaccinated individuals with a history of COVID-19 infection compared to those without prior infection. Conclusions: The antibody profile for IgM and IgG against SARS-CoV-2 suggests that as time passes after the onset of disease symptoms, the seropositivity in COVID-19 patients increases. Furthermore, antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 are produced more efficiently through COVID-19 vaccination than natural infection.en
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5812/archcid-140414en
URIhttps://brieflands.com/journals/archcid/articles/140414en
KeywordSARS-CoV-2en
KeywordCOVID-19, Serologyen
KeywordELISA, RT-PCRen
PublisherBrieflandsen
TitleInvestigating the Seroconversion Patterns of Specific Antibodies Against Various Antigens of SARS-CoV-2 in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients and Vaccinated Individualsen
TypeResearch Articleen

Files