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

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

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.