Humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and endemic coronaviruses in urban and indigenous children in Colombia.

Our knowledge of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19 remains incomplete for certain populations including indigenous people and younger age groups. Here, we aim to understand the extent to which children from urban and indigenous populations of Colombia were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 and the related common cold coronaviruses. By measuring antibodies, protective proteins produced by the immune system, we find higher levels of previous SARS-CoV-2 infections in indigenous children of the Wiwa community (34.1%) compared to children from urbanized Bogotá (21.3%). Antibody levels towards the common cold coronaviruses were similar in SARS-CoV-2 infected and uninfected children suggesting immune responses to one coronavirus do not automatically protect against closely-related viruses. Further, we find low levels of protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in both populations. This finding warrants further investigation as it relates to reinfection risk and future vaccination strategies in these populations.