Defining the features and duration of antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection associated with disease severity and outcome

SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, particularly those preventing viral spike receptor binding domain (RBD) interaction with host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, can neutralize the virus. It is, however, unknown which features of the serological response may affect clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients. We analyzed 983 longitudinal plasma samples from 79 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and 175 SARS-CoV-2-infected outpatients and asymptomatic individuals. Within this cohort, 25 patients died of their illness. Higher ratios of IgG antibodies targeting S1 or RBD domains of spike compared to nucleocapsid antigen were seen in outpatients who had mild illness versus severely ill patients. Plasma…

• SN
  Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Award: 1U54CA260517
• NI
  National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

  Award: T32 AI007502-23
• SM
  Stanford Maternal and Child Health Research Institute