Antibody kinetics and clinical course of COVID-19 a prospective observational study

Bläckberg, Anna; Fernström, Nils; Sarbrant, Emma; Rasmussen, Magnus; Sunnerhagen, Torgny

BACKGROUND: Serological response and association to clinical manifestation is important for understanding the pathogenesis of COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted where antibody responses of IgG and IgA towards SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were studied over time in patients with COVID-19. Possible associations between antibody titers and outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: Forty patients with COVID-19, hospitalized at Skåne University hospital, Sweden, between April and June 2020 were included. IgG antibody responses were detected for all patients with the highest levels four weeks after COVID-19 diagnosis. Levels of IgA were generally higher at diagnosis and decreased towards baseline 4 weeks after confirmed COVID-19. Patients with severe COVID-19 had higher levels of antibodies directed against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein compared with patients with mild disease. CONCLUSION: IgG and IgA antibodies towards the spike protein follow different kinetics during COVID-19 and patients with severe disease develop higher antibody levels.