Robust and durable serological response following pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Virology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• The long-term humoral immune response in children post-SARS-CoV-2 infection is not well understood.
• This knowledge gap impacts the development of pediatric COVID-19 vaccination programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the quality and persistence of humoral immunity in children and adults following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• To compare immune responses between pediatric and adult populations.

Main Methods:

• Assessed serological responses at 3-4 and 11-12 months post-infection in 548 children and 717 adults from 328 households.
• Utilized a multiplex immunoassay for 23 coronavirus antigens and three commercial SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays.
• Analyzed neutralization activity against SARS-CoV-2 wild type and Delta variant using a pseudotyped virus assay.

Main Results:

• Children were five times more likely to be asymptomatic compared to adults.
• Children demonstrated higher specific antibody levels that persisted longer (96.2% vs. 82.9% seropositive at 11-12 months).
• Symptomatic and asymptomatic infections induced similar humoral responses; neutralization was reduced against the Delta VOC in both groups.

Conclusions:

• Children possess a more durable long-term humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection than adults, irrespective of infection severity.
• Findings support the need for tailored pediatric SARS-CoV-2 vaccination strategies based on robust and sustained immune responses.