Elevated BMI reduces the humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Class III obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 40 kg m^-2) significantly impairs the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. However, the effect of an elevated BMI (≥ 25 kg m^-2) on humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination remains unclear.

We collected blood samples from people who recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection approximately 3 and 13 months of post-infection (noting that these individuals were not exposed to SARS-CoV-2 or vaccinated in the interim). We also collected blood samples from people approximately 5 months of post-second dose COVID-19 vaccination (the majority of whom did not have a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection). We measured their humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2, grouping individuals based on a BMI greater or less than 25 kg m^-2.

Here, we show that an increased BMI (≥ 25 kg m^-2), when accounting for age and sex differences, is associated with reduced antibody responses after SARS-CoV-2 infection. At 3 months of post-infection, an elevated BMI was associated with reduced antibody titres. At 13 months of post-infection, an elevated BMI was associated with reduced antibody avidity and a reduced percentage of spike-positive B cells. In contrast, no significant association was noted between a BMI ≥ 25 kg m^-2 and humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 at 5 months of post-secondary vaccination.

Taken together, these data showed that elevated BMI is associated with an impaired humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The impairment of infection-induced immunity in individuals with a BMI ≥ 25 kg m^-2 suggests an added impetus for vaccination rather than relying on infection-induced immunity.