Serological and viral genetic features of patients with COVID-19 in a selected German patient cohort—correlation with disease characteristics

Abstract

To study host-virus interactions after SARS coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, genetic virus characteristics and the ensued humoral immune response were investigated for the first time. Fifty-five SARS-CoV-2-infected patients from the early pandemic phase were followed up including serological testing and whole genome sequencing. Anti-spike and nucleocapsid protein (S/N) IgG and IgM levels were determined by screening ELISA and IgG was further characterized by reactivity to S-subunit 1 (anti-S1), S-subunit 2 (anti-S2) and anti-N. In 55 patients, 90 genetic SARS-CoV-2 changes including 48 non-synonymous single nucleotide variants were identified. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequencing data showed a cluster representing a local outbreak and various family clusters. Anti-S/N and anti-N IgG were detected in 49 patients at an average of 83 days after blood collection. Anti-S/N IgM occurred significantly less frequently than IgG whereas anti-S2 was the least prevalent IgG reactivity (P < 0.05, respectively). Age and overweight were significantly associated with higher anti-S/N and anti-S1 IgG levels while age only with anti-N IgG (multiple regression, P < 0.05, respectively). Anti-S/N IgG/IgM levels, blood group A + , cardiovascular and tumour disease, NSP12 Q444H and ORF3a S177I were independent predictors of clinical characteristics with anti-S/N IgM being associated with the need for hospitalization (multivariate regression, P < 0.05, respectively). Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody generation was mainly affected by higher age and overweight in the present cohort. COVID-19 traits were associated with genetic SARS-CoV-2 variants, anti-S/N IgG/IgM levels, blood group A + and concomitant disease. Anti-S/N IgM was the only antibody associated with the need for hospitalization.

Demographic and Clinical Factors Associated with Reactivity of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Serbian Convalescent Plasma Donors

“…Moreover, it is showed that persons who reached threshold values for CCP donorship acceptance are older than candidates who were declined (40 vs. 36 years). Similar findings concerning Ab reactivity in relation to the age group were reported for COVID-19 convalescents from Germany [ 52 ], Brazil [ 19 ], US [ 20 , 53 ], England [ 21 ] and Austria [ 54 ].…”

“…Considering individual comorbidities, some studies have shown that anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels show a positive correlation with obesity [ 62 ] and IgM with the presence of tumor diseases [ 52 ] due to probable impaired cellular anti-SARS-CoV-2 response. In addition, it is previously reported that comorbidities can lead to an increased level of proinflammatory cytokines which can have a stimulatory effect on humoral response [ 63 ].…”

“…Nevertheless, Körper et al did not report the link of body weight with nAbs level in CCP donors [ 22 ]. Additionally, no correlation with anti-SARS-CoV-2 Abs level was found in the persons with chronic liver disease, chronic lung disease or diabetes [ 52 , 64 ].…”

Pro-inflammatory immune profile mediated by TNF and IFN-γ and regulated by IL-10 is associated to IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic blood donors

“…On the other hand, another study did not identify association between antibody levels and age of the seropositive individuals [10] , [11] . Despite the lack of consistent data regarding the production of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and the age of the infected individuals, other recent published studies showed that infected children and adults have differential antibody production, the latter having higher circulating levels of IgG [12] and that SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels are positively correlated with age in adult COVID-19 patients [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] . Additionally, the repertoire of recognized viral antigens appears to be larger in adults.…”

Bidirectionality between Cardiometabolic Diseases and COVID-19: Role of Humoral Immunity

“…Among cohort and cross-sectional studies assessing associations between binding SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and BMI, the majority found positive associations between BMI and antibody levels [ 45 , 46 , [54] , [55] , [56] , [57] , [58] ] or seropositivity [ [59] , [60] , [61] , [62] , [63] ]. The remaining showed null associations between BMI and antibody levels [ [64] , [65] , [66] ], seropositivity [ 67 , 68 ], or both [ 49 ].…”