Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and risk of future sickness

Dillner, J.; Elfström, M.; Blomqvist, J.; Eklund, C.; Lagheden, C.; Nordqvist-Kleppe, S.; Hellström, C.; Olofsson, J.; Andersson, E.; Jernbom Falk, A.; Bergström, S.; Hultin, E.; Pin, E.; Manberg, A.; Nilsson, P.; Hedhammar, M.; Hober, S.; Mattsson, J.; Arroyo Mühr, L. S.; Conneryd Lundgren, K.

Background: The extent that antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 may protect against future virus-associated disease is unknown. Method: We analyzed 12928 healthy hospital employees for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and compared results to participant sick leave records (Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04411576). Results: Subjects with viral serum antibodies were not at excess risk for future sick leave (Odds Ratio (OR): 0.85 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) (0.85 (0.43-1.68)). By contrast, subjects with antibodies had an excess risk for sick leave in the past weeks (OR: 3.34 (2.98-3.74)). Conclusion: Presence of viral antibodies marks past disease and protection against excess risk of future disease.