COVID-19 symptom duration predicts immunoglobulin G seropositivity

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Epidemiology
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Assessing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels is crucial for understanding COVID-19 immunity.
• Identifying predictors of seropositivity can inform public health strategies, including vaccination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between clinical characteristics and anti-SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies in healthcare workers (HCWs) post-COVID-19.
• To determine if readily available predictors for COVID-19 antibodies exist.

Main Methods:

• 152 HCWs with confirmed COVID-19 provided personal, anthropometric, and anamnestic data.
• Anti-spike immunoglobulin (Ig) levels were measured.
• Descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses were performed to assess variable relationships with Ig levels.

Main Results:

• The mean interval between symptom onset and antibody testing was 58 days.
• 82% of HCWs showed IgG seropositivity and 49% showed IgM seropositivity.
• Symptom duration was the sole significant predictor of IgG seropositivity; each additional day increased IgG probability (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Symptom duration can predict the presence of IgG immunity following COVID-19.
• This finding offers a practical method for identifying seropositive individuals, potentially aiding vaccination strategies.