Longitudinal SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Antibody Kinetics, Seroreversion, and Implications for Seroepidemiologic Studies

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Epidemiology
• Virology

Background:

• Spike antibodies are key for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
• Nucleocapsid antibodies are increasingly used for serologic surveys of prior infection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define the longitudinal kinetics and seroreversion of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antibodies.
• To assess the implications of nucleocapsid antibody seroreversion for seroepidemiologic studies.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal analysis of nucleocapsid antibody levels in a study population.
• Assessment of seroreversion rates over time.

Main Results:

• Substantial seroreversion of nucleocapsid total immunoglobulin was observed.
• The rate and timing of seroreversion were not previously well-defined.

Conclusions:

• Nucleocapsid antibody seroreversion is a significant factor in serologic surveys.
• Seroepidemiologic studies must account for antibody seroreversion for accurate infection prevalence estimates.