Discordant neutralizing antibody and T cell responses in asymptomatic and mild SARS-CoV-2 infection

CJ Reynolds, L Swadling, JM Gibbons, C Pade… - Science …, 2020 - science.org
CJ Reynolds, L Swadling, JM Gibbons, C Pade, MP Jensen, MO Diniz, NM Schmidt…
Science immunology, 2020science.org
Understanding the nature of immunity following mild/asymptomatic infection with SARS-CoV-
2 is crucial to controlling the pandemic. We analyzed T cell and neutralizing antibody
responses in 136 healthcare workers (HCW) 16-18 weeks after United Kingdom lockdown,
76 of whom had mild/asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection captured by serial sampling.
Neutralizing antibodies (nAb) were present in 89% of previously infected HCW. T cell
responses tended to be lower following asymptomatic infection than in those reporting case …
Understanding the nature of immunity following mild/asymptomatic infection with SARS-CoV-2 is crucial to controlling the pandemic. We analyzed T cell and neutralizing antibody responses in 136 healthcare workers (HCW) 16-18 weeks after United Kingdom lockdown, 76 of whom had mild/asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection captured by serial sampling. Neutralizing antibodies (nAb) were present in 89% of previously infected HCW. T cell responses tended to be lower following asymptomatic infection than in those reporting case-definition symptoms of COVID-19, while nAb titers were maintained irrespective of symptoms. T cell and antibody responses were sometimes discordant. Eleven percent lacked nAb and had undetectable T cell responses to spike protein but had T cells reactive with other SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Our findings suggest that the majority of individuals with mild or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection carry nAb complemented by multispecific T cell responses at 16-18 weeks after mild or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.
AAAS