One-year seropositivity after COVID-19 infection: A study from a developing country

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Assessing the duration of the humoral immune response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is crucial for effective vaccination strategies.
• Understanding antibody persistence post-infection informs public health policies and vaccine development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the persistence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in patients in Northern Jordan one year after infection.
• To assess the long-term presence of antibodies against spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 122 unvaccinated participants infected with early SARS-CoV-2 variants.
• Antibody levels against S and N proteins were measured using quantitative and qualitative assays (Roche Diagnostics).
• Data were analyzed using SPSS, with chi-square tests for associations.

Main Results:

• Over 50% of participants retained detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies one year post-infection.
• Antibodies against the spike protein demonstrated more consistent long-term persistence than nucleocapsid antibodies.
• Blood group O was associated with lower seropositivity rates (P=0.06); other factors like age, gender, and comorbidities showed no significant correlation.

Conclusions:

• SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, especially against the spike protein, can persist for at least one year post-infection in a significant portion of individuals.
• These findings suggest potential for sustained immune protection and can inform vaccination policies, particularly in resource-limited settings.