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Humoral Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 in Iceland
Daniel F Gudbjartsson1, Gudmundur L Norddahl1, Pall Melsted1
1From deCODE Genetics/Amgen (D.F.G., G.L.N., P.M., K.G., H.H., A.O.A., K. Bjarnadottir, B. Thorsteinsdottir, S.K., K. Birgisdottir, A.M.K., G.A.A., E.V.I., M.A., F.J., A.B.A., J.B., B.E., R.F., E.E.G., S.G., K.R.G., A.G., A.H., B.O.J., A.J., H.J., T.K., D.N.M., O.T.M., S.R., L.R., A.S., G. Sveinbjornsson, K.E.S., E.A.T., B. Thorbjornsson, J.S., G.M., G.G., U.T., I.J., P.S., K.S.), the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences (D.F.G., P.M.), the Department of Anthropology (A.H.), the BioMedical Center (K.G.K.), and the Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences (M.I.S., M.G., K.G.K., R.P., U.T., I.J., K.S.), University of Iceland, Internal Medicine and Rehabilitation Services (E.E., D.H., R.F.I., M.G., L.B.O., M.K., R.P.), the Division of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (M.I.S.), and the Department of Clinical Microbiology (O.S.G., T.R.G., K.G.K., M.S.), Landspitali-the National University Hospital, and the Directorate of Health (G. Sigmundsdottir, M.T., K.S.J., A.M., T.G.), Reykjavik, and the Health Care Institution of South Iceland, Selfoss (S.H.K.) - all in Iceland.
Antiviral antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 remained stable for at least 4 months post-infection. This study tracked antibody levels in Iceland, estimating a 0.3% mortality rate for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The long-term humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection remains poorly understood.
- Durability of antibody titers after infection is a critical factor in understanding immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the nature and durability of the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2.
- To estimate seroprevalence and mortality rates associated with SARS-CoV-2 in Iceland.
Main Methods:
- Antibody levels were measured in over 30,000 serum samples from Iceland using six different assays.
- Seropositivity was confirmed using two pan-immunoglobulin assays.
- Samples were collected from recovered individuals, quarantined contacts, and the general population up to 4 months post-diagnosis.
Main Results:
- 91.1% of recovered individuals tested positive for antibodies.
- Antibody titers increased for 2 months post-diagnosis and then plateaued.
- An estimated 0.9% of the Icelandic population was infected, with a case fatality rate of 0.3%.
Conclusions:
- Antiviral antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 demonstrated stability for at least 4 months after diagnosis.
- A significant proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infections (44%) were not detected by qPCR testing.
- The study provides crucial data on the persistence of humoral immunity and the true burden of infection.
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