SARS-CoV-2 antibody kinetics in blood donors with a previously positive SARS-CoV-2 antibody test within a seroprevalence survey.

ABSTRACT

The persistence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies is a matter of importance regarding the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. To observe antibody dynamics, 105 blood donors, positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by a lateral flow test within a seroprevalence study, were included in this study. Thirty-nine (37%) of 105 the donors were confirmed positive by a total Ig Wantai enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Three (8%) in this group of 39 reported severe and 26/39 (67%) mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms. By further ELISA-testing, 33/39 (85%) donors were initially positive for IgG antibodies, 31/39 (79%) for IgA, and 32/39 (82%) for IgM, while 27/39 (69%) were positive for all three isotypes. Persistence of IgG, IgA, and IgM was observed in 73%, 79%, and 32% of donors, respectively, after 6-9 months of observation. For IgM antibodies, the decline in the proportion of positive donors was statistically significant (p = 0.002) during 12 months observation, for IgG only the decline at 3 months was statistically significant (p = 0.042). Four donors exhibited notable increases in antibody levels. In conclusion, persistent SARS-CoV-2 IgA antibodies and IgG antibodies at 6-9 months are present in approximately three of four individuals with previous mild to moderate COVID-19.