Antibody immunity to covid-19 may be short-lived

A new study in the UK has found that patients who recover from the Covid-19 may have an antibody response that makes them immune to the deadly virus only for a few months. Research, led by Dr Katie Doores of King’s College London, found levels of antibodies that can destroy the virus peaked about three weeks after the onset of symptoms then started declining.

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Key-Points

The study is the first “longitudinal” research to have monitored antibody levels in patients and hospital workers for three months after symptoms emerged.

The scientists drew on test results from 65 patients and six healthcare workers who tested positive for the virus, and a further 31 staff who volunteered to have regular antibody tests between March and June.

The immune system has multiple ways to fight the coronavirus but if antibodies are the main line of defence, the findings suggest people could become reinfected in seasonal waves just like the common cold and other kinds of flu.

This study has important implications when considering widespread serological testing, Ab protection against reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 and the durability of vaccine protection.