Live virus neutralizing antibodies against pre and post Omicron strains in food and retail workers in Québec, Canada

Henintsoa Rabezanahary ^1,2, Caroline Gilbert ^1,2, Kim Santerre ^1,2

⁰Division of Infectious and Immune Diseases, CHU de Québec Research Center, QC, Quebec, Canada.

Heliyon +

|

June 3, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Neutralizing antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 variants like Omicron were reduced in vaccinated workers. Vaccination followed by infection yielded the highest antibody response across all tested strains.

Area Of Science

Immunology
Virology
Public Health

Background

Live virus neutralization assays are crucial for assessing protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2.
Restaurant, grocery, and hardware store workers represent a key population for studying immune responses due to occupational exposure.
Assessing antibody neutralization against diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron sublineages, is vital for understanding vaccine effectiveness.

Purpose Of The Study

To evaluate the neutralizing antibody activity against various SARS-CoV-2 strains in vaccinated essential workers.
To compare the neutralization response across different SARS-CoV-2 variants, including ancestral, Delta, and Omicron sublineages (BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1, BA.4, BA.5).
To investigate the impact of vaccination and infection history on neutralizing antibody titers.

Main Methods

Microneutralization assay was employed to measure serum neutralizing antibody (NtAb) titers.
Sera from 280 vaccinated workers in Québec, Canada, were tested against multiple SARS-CoV-2 strains.
Participant data included vaccination status and infection history.

Main Results

NtAb titers against ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and Delta variants were comparable, but significantly reduced against Omicron BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5.
Individuals receiving 2 vaccine doses showed reduced NtAb titers compared to those with infection and vaccination or 3 vaccine doses.
The highest NtAb titers against all tested strains were observed in participants vaccinated (2-3 doses) and subsequently infected.

Conclusions

Vaccination prior to Omicron's emergence correlated with higher neutralization of pre-Omicron variants, highlighting the need for updated vaccines.
Vaccination followed by infection resulted in superior neutralizing antibody activity against all SARS-CoV-2 strains tested.
This study provides novel insights into the neutralizing antibody response in essential workers against evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Keywords:

Food/retail workers Neutralization SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines Variants

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Cross-reactivity

Overview

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