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Published on: January 26, 2019
Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2 Do Not Cross-React with Endemic Coronaviruses in a Pediatric Population: Data from a
Ana Citlali Márquez1, Guadalein Tanunliong1,2, Mamun Kabir3
1BCCDC Public Health Laboratory, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada.
Insights
Children infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed no link between prior endemic human coronavirus (HCoV) exposure and their COVID-19 antibody levels. This suggests HCoV history doesn't explain why children experience milder COVID-19 disease.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Limited understanding of pediatric immunological differences protecting children from severe COVID-19.
- Previous endemic human coronavirus (HCoV) infections are hypothesized to influence SARS-CoV-2 responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between prior HCoV exposure and SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in children.
- To compare anti-HCoV antibody levels before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection in a pediatric cohort.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 100 paired pediatric samples collected pre- and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.
- Comparison of seroconversion and IgG antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2.
- Quantification of antibody levels to endemic human coronaviruses (HCoVs).
Main Results:
- 45% of children seroconverted for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies.
- No correlation found between prior HCoV infection evidence and SARS-CoV-2 antibody magnitude.
- No significant changes in anti-HCoV antibody levels were observed pre- and post-SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Conclusions:
- Prior endemic human coronavirus exposure does not appear to modulate SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in children.
- The role of HCoV immunity in pediatric COVID-19 protection remains unclear.
- Further research is needed to elucidate pediatric immune responses to SARS-CoV-2.
Abstract:
There is a limited understanding of the immunological differences between children and adults that protect children from developing severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Previous infection with endemic human coronaviruses (HCoVs) has been suggested as a factor. In this study, we used 100 paired residual samples collected before and during the COVID-19 pandemic from children in Bangladesh. We compared the changes in their sero-status (no COVID-19 vs. COVID-19) and quantified antibody levels to HCoVs. We found that although 45% of the children seroconverted for IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, there was no correlation between evidence of previous infection with HCoVs and the magnitude of SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses post-infection. Moreover, no differences in the anti-HCoV antibody levels were found pre- and post-SARS-CoV-2 infection.
