The first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in St. Petersburg on March 2, 2020; the period of increase in the incidence lasted for 10 weeks, the maximum rates were recorded in mid-May, and subsequently there was a statistically significant decrease in the incidence.Objective: to determine the level and structure of community immunity to SARS-CoV-2 among the population of St. Petersburg during the period of intensive spread of COVID-19.Materials and methods. Selection of volunteers for the study was carried out through interviewing and randomization. The exclusion criterion was active COVID-19 infection at the time of the survey. 2713 people aged 1 to 70 years and above were  examined for the presence of specific antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Antibodies were detected by enzyme immunoassay.Results and discussion. Studies have shown that in St. Petersburg, in the active phase of COVID-19 epidemic, there was a moderate seroprevalence to SARS-CoV-2, which amounted to 26 %, against the background of a high frequency (84.5 %) of asymptomatic infection in seropositive individuals who did not have a history of COVID-19 disease, positive PCR result and ARI symptoms on the day of examination. The maximum indicators of herd immunity were established in children 1–6 years old (31.1 %), 7–13 years old (37.7 %) and people over 70 years old (30.4 %). Differences in the level of seroprevalence in the age groups of 18–49 years are statistically significant. The highest level of seroprevalence was found among the unemployed (29.7 %), healthcare workers (27.1 %), education sector (26.4 %) and business sector personnel (25 %). In convalescents, COVID-19 antibodies are produced in 75 % of cases. In individuals with positive result of PCR analysis carried out earlier, antibodies are detected in 70 % of the cases. The results of the study of herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2 are essential to forecast the development of the epidemiological situation, as well as to plan measures for specific and non-specific prevention of COVID-19.

IgG is the most prominent marker of post-COVID-19 immunity. Not only does this subtype mark the late stages of infection, but it also stays in the body for a timespan of at least 6 months. However, different IgG subclasses have different properties, and their roles in specific anti-COVID-19 responses have yet to be determined. We assessed the concentrations of IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 against different SARS-CoV-2 antigens (N protein, S protein RBD) using a specifically designed method and samples from 348 COVID-19 patients. We noted a statistically significant association between severity of COVID-19 infection and IgG concentrations (both total and subclasses). When assessing anti-N protein and anti-RBD IgG subclasses, we noted the importance of IgG3 as a subclass. Since it is often associated with early antiviral response, we presumed that the IgG3 subclass is the first high-affinity IgG antibody to be produced during COVID-19 infection.

Background. The adaptive antiviral immune response requires interaction between CD8+ T cells, dendritic cells, and Th1 cells for controlling SARS-CoV-2 infection, but the data regarding the role of CD8+ T cells in the acute phase of COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 syndrome are still limited. Methods.. Peripheral blood samples collected from patients with acute COVID-19 (n = 71), convalescent subjects bearing serum SARS-CoV-2 N-protein-specific IgG antibodies (n = 51), and healthy volunteers with no detectable antibodies to any SARS-CoV-2 proteins (HC, n = 46) were analyzed using 10-color flow cytometry. Results. Patients with acute COVID-19 vs. HC and COVID-19 convalescents showed decreased absolute numbers of CD8+ T cells, whereas the frequency of CM and TEMRA CD8+ T cells in acute COVID-19 vs. HC was elevated. COVID-19 convalescents vs. HC had increased naïve and CM cells, whereas TEMRA cells were decreased compared to HC. Cell-surface CD57 was highly expressed by the majority of CD8+ T cells subsets during acute COVID-19, but convalescents had increased CD57 on ‘naïve’, CM, EM4, and pE1 2–3 months post-symptom onset. CXCR5 expression was altered in acute and convalescent COVID-19 subjects, whereas the frequencies of CXCR3+ and CCR4+ cells were decreased in both patient groups vs. HC. COVID-19 convalescents had increased CCR6-expressing CD8+ T cells. Moreover, CXCR3+CCR6- Tc1 cells were decreased in patients with acute COVID-19 and COVID-19 convalescents, whereas Tc2 and Tc17 levels were increased compared to HC. Finally, IL-27 negatively correlated with the CCR6+ cells in acute COVID-19 patients. Conclusions. We described an abnormal CD8+ T cell profile in COVID-19 convalescents, which resulted in lower frequencies of effector subsets (TEMRA and Tc1), higher senescent state (upregulated CD57 on ‘naïve’ and memory cells), and higher frequencies of CD8+ T cell subsets expressing lung tissue and mucosal tissue homing molecules (Tc2, Tc17, and Tc17.1). Thus, our data indicate that COVID-19 can impact the long-term CD8+ T cell immune response.

This study is a successor of our previous work concerning changes in the chemokine profile in infection that are associated with different SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants. The goal of our study was to take into account both the virus and the host immune system by assessing concentrations of cytokines in patients infected with different SARS-CoV-2 variants (ancestral Wuhan strain, Alpha, Delta and Omicron). Our study was performed on 340 biological samples taken from COVID-19 patients and healthy donors in the timespan between May 2020 and April 2022. We performed genotyping of the virus in nasopharyngeal swabs, which was followed by assessment of cytokines’ concentration in blood plasma. We noted that out of nearly 30 cytokines, only four showed stable elevation independently of the variant (IL-6, IL-10, IL-18 and IL-27), and we believe them to be ‘constant’ markers for COVID-19 infection. Cytokines that were studied as potential biomarkers lose their diagnostic value as the virus evolves, and the specter of potential targets for predictive models is narrowing. So far, only four cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, and IL-27) showed a consistent rise in concentrations independently of the genetic variant of the virus. Although we believe our findings to be of scientific interest, we still consider them inconclusive; further investigation and comparison of immune responses to different variants of SARS-CoV-2 is required.

The first case of COVID-19 was registered in the Leningrad Region on March 13, 2020. The period of increasing intensity of the epidemic process lasted 8 weeks. One month after reaching the maximum incidence rate, a study was organized to determine seroprevalence to COVID-19 among the population of the Region.Objective of the study was to determine the level and structure of community immunity to SARS-CoV-2 virus in the population of the Leningrad Region in the period of intensive COVID-19 transmission.Materials and methods. The work was carried out within the framework of the Rospotrebnadzor project on assessment of community immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the population of the Russian Federation. The content of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 was determined applying ELISA using a kit for the analysis of human serum or blood plasma for the presence of specific IgG to the nucleocapsid of the SARS-CoV-2 virus , manufactured by the State Scientific Center of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (Obolensk) in accordance with the instructions for use.Results and discussion. The study has showed that the herd immunity of the population of the Leningrad Region was 20.7 %. The maximum level has been established in children 1–6 years old (42.3 %) and people over 70 years old (29.0 %). The highest level of seropositivity, except for children and older people, was found among the unemployed (25.1 %). The lowest level of seroprevalence was detected in civil servants (12.8 %) and military personnel (16.7 %). It has been shown that the risk of infection increases by 1.5 times in case of contacts with COVID-19 patients. After exposure to COVID-19 virus, antibodies are produced in 82.1 % of the cases. In individuals with a positive PCR test result obtained earlier, antibodies are detected in 82.8 % of cases. The share of asymptomatic forms among seropositive residents of the Leningrad Region was 86.9 %. The results of assessing the herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in the population of the Leningrad Region indicate that during the period of intensive COVID-19 transmission, an average level of seroprevalence was formed. A significant proportion of asymptomatic forms of infection characterizes the high intensity of the latently developing epidemic process. The results obtained should be taken into account when organizing preventive measures, including vaccination, and predicting morbidity rates.

В декабре 2019 появилась информация о новом заболевании, этиологическим фактором которого оказался β-коронавирус SARS-CoV-2. В Ленинградской области первый случай COVID-19 выявлен 13 марта 2020 года. Период нарастания интенсивности эпидемического процесса продолжался 8 недель. Через один месяц после достижения максимального уровня заболеваемости было организовано исследование по определению серопревалентности к COVID-19 среди населения Ленинградской области. Работа проводилась в рамках проекта Роспотребнадзора по оценке популяционного иммунитета к вирусу SARS-CoV-2 у населения Российской Федерации с учетом протокола, рекомендованного ВОЗ. Содержание антител к SARS-CoV-2 определяли методом ИФА с использованием набора реагентов для анализа сыворотки или плазмы крови человека на наличие специфических иммуноглобулинов класса G к нуклеокапсиду вируса SARS-CoV-2 производства ФБУН ГНЦПМиБ Роспотребнадзора (г.Оболенск) в соответствии с инструкцией по применению. Результаты исследования показали, что коллективный иммунитет совокупного населения Ленинградской области составил 20,7%. Максимальный уровень коллективного иммунитета установлен у детей 1-6 лет (42,3%) и обследованных старше 70 лет (29,0%). Наибольший уровень серопозитивности, кроме детей и лиц старшего возраста, выявлен у безработных (25,1%). Наименьший уровень серопревалентности установлен в подгруппе госслужащих (12,8%) и подгруппе военных (16,7%). Показано, что при наличии контактов с больными COVID-19 риск инфицирования возрастает в 1,5 раза. После инфекции COVID-19 антитела вырабатываются в 82,1% случаев. У лиц с позитивным результатом ПЦР-анализа, полученным ранее, антитела выявляются в 82,8% случаев. Доля бессимптомных форм среди серопозитивных жителей Ленинградской области составила 86,9%. Результаты оценки популяционного иммунитета к вирусу SARS-CoV-2 у населения Ленинградской области свидетельствуют о том, что в период эпидемического подъема заболеваемости инфекцией COVID-19 сформировался средний уровень серопревалентности. После перенесенного заболевания у 18% лиц, антитела не выявляются. Значительная доля бессимптомных форм инфекции характеризует высокую интенсивность скрыто развивающегося эпидемического процесса. Полученные результаты необходимо учитывать при организации профилактических мероприятий, включая вакцинацию, и прогнозировании заболеваемости.

Background. Humoral immunity requires interaction between B cell and T follicular helper cells (Tfh) to produce effective immune response, but the data regarding a role of B cells and Tfh in SARS-CoV-2 defense are still sparse. Methods. Blood samples from patients with acute COVID-19 (n = 64), convalescents patients who had specific IgG to SARS-CoV-2 N-protein (n = 55), and healthy donors with no detectable antibodies to any SARS-CoV-2 proteins (HC, n = 44) were analyses by multicolor flow cytometry. Results. Patients with acute COVID-19 showed decreased levels of memory B cells subsets and increased proportion plasma cell precursors compared to HC and COVID-19 convalescent patients, whereas for the latter the elevated numbers of virgin naïve, Bm2′ and “Bm3+Bm4” was found if compared with HC. During acute COVID-19 CXCR3+CCR6− Tfh1-like cells were decreased and the levels of CXCR3–CCR6+ Tfh17-like were increased then in HC and convalescent patients. Finally, COVID-19 convalescent patients had increased levels of Tfh2-, Tfh17- and DP Tfh-like cells while comparing their amount with HC. Conclusions. Our data indicate that COVID-19 can impact the humoral immunity in the long-term.

В конце 2019 – начале 2020 годов появились сообщения о вспышке инфекции, вызванной новым штаммом бета-коронавируса SARS-CoV-2, заболевание ВОЗ определила как coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). В Санкт-Петербурге первый случай COVID-19 был диагностирован 2 марта 2020 г., период нарастания заболеваемости продолжался в течение 10 недель, максимальные показатели были зафиксированы в середине мая, в дальнейшем отмечалось статистически значимое снижение заболеваемости. Целью проведенного сероэпидемиологического исследования было определение уровня и структуры популяционного иммунитета к вирусу SARS-CoV-2 среди населения Санкт-Петербурга в период интенсивного распространения COVID-19. Отбор волонтеров для исследования проводили методом анкетирования и рандомизации путем случайной выборки. Критерием исключения была активная инфекция COVID-19 в момент анкетирования. На наличие специфических антител к SARS-CoV-2 обследовано 2713 человек. Возраст обследованных добровольцев варьировал от 1 года до 70 лет и старше. Результаты исследования показали, что в Санкт-Петербурге в активную фазу заболеваемости COVID-19 наблюдалась умеренная серопревалентность к SARS-CoV-2, составившая 26%, на фоне высокой частоты (84,5%) бессимптомной инфекции у серопозитивных лиц, не имевших в анамнезе перенесенного заболевания COVID-19, положительного результата ПЦР и симптомов ОРВИ в день обследования. Максимальные показатели коллективного иммунитета установлены у детей 1-6 лет (31,1%), детей 7-13 лет (37,7%) и лиц старше 70 лет (30,4%), различия с уровнем серопревалентности в возрастных группах 18-49 лет статистически значимы. В социально-профессиональной структуре населения наибольший уровень серопревалентности выявлен среди безработных (29,7%), работников здравоохранения (27,1%), образования (26,4%) и бизнеса (25%). У реконвалесцентов COVID-19 антитела вырабатываются в 75% случаев. У лиц с позитивным результатом ПЦР-анализа, проведенного ранее, антитела выявляются в 70% случаев. Результаты исследования о состоянии коллективного иммунитета к вирусу SARS-CoV-2 необходимы для разработки прогноза развития эпидемиологической ситуации, а также планирования мероприятий по специфической и неспецифической профилактике COVID-19.