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Solastie A, Nieminen T, Ekström N, Nohynek H, Lehtonen L, Palmu AA, Melin M. Changes in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and population immunity in Finland, 2020-2022. Emerg Microbes Infect 2023:2222849. [PMID: 37289188 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2222849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Studying the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies (seroprevalence) allows for assessing the impact of epidemic containment measures and vaccinations and estimating the number of infections regardless of viral testing. We assessed antibody-mediated immunity to SARS-CoV-2 induced by infections and vaccinations from April 2020 to December 2022 in Finland by measuring serum IgG to SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein (N-IgG) and spike glycoprotein from randomly selected 18-85-year-old subjects (n = 9794). N-IgG seroprevalence remained at <7% until the last quartile (Q) of 2021. After the emergence of the omicron variant, N-IgG seroprevalence increased rapidly and was 31% in Q1/2022 and 54% in Q4/2022. Seroprevalence was highest in the youngest age groups from Q2/2022 onwards. We did not observe regional differences in seroprevalence in 2022. We estimated that 51% of the Finnish 18-85-year-old population had antibody-mediated hybrid immunity induced by a combination of vaccinations and infections by the end of 2022. In conclusion, major shifts in the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting population immunity could be observed by serological testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Solastie
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuomo Nieminen
- Department of Knowledge Brokers, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nina Ekström
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hanna Nohynek
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lasse Lehtonen
- HUS Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Arto A Palmu
- Department of Public Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Tampere, Finland. Current affiliation: FVR - Finnish Vaccine Research, Tampere, Finland
| | - Merit Melin
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
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Ekström N, Haveri A, Solastie A, Virta C, Österlund P, Nohynek H, Nieminen T, Ivaska L, Tähtinen PA, Lempainen J, Jalkanen P, Julkunen I, Palmu AA, Melin M. Strong Neutralizing Antibody Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Variants Following a Single Vaccine Dose in Subjects With Previous SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022; 9:ofac625. [PMID: 36519113 PMCID: PMC9745780 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection primes the immune system; thus individuals who have recovered from infection have enhanced immune responses to subsequent vaccination (hybrid immunity). However, it remains unclear how well hybrid immunity induced by severe or mild infection can cross-neutralize emerging variants. We aimed to compare the strength and breadth of antibody responses in vaccinated recovered and uninfected subjects. METHODS We measured spike-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)G and neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) from vaccinated subjects including 320 with hybrid immunity and 20 without previous infection. From 29 subjects with a previous severe or mild infection, we also measured NAb responses against Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron (B.1.1.529/BA.1) variants following vaccination. RESULTS A single vaccine dose induced 2-fold higher anti-spike IgG concentrations and up to 4-fold higher neutralizing potency of antibodies in subjects with a previous infection compared with vaccinated subjects without a previous infection. Hybrid immunity was more enhanced after a severe than a mild infection, with sequentially decreasing NAb titers against Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants. We found similar IgG concentrations in subjects with a previous infection after 1 or 2 vaccine doses. CONCLUSIONS Hybrid immunity induced strong IgG responses, particularly after severe infection. However, the NAb titers were low against heterologous variants, especially against Omicron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Ekström
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anu Haveri
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna Solastie
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Camilla Virta
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pamela Österlund
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hanna Nohynek
- Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuomo Nieminen
- Data and Analytics Unit, Department of Knowledge Brokers, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri Ivaska
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Paula A Tähtinen
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Johanna Lempainen
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Clinical Microbiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Pinja Jalkanen
- Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Ilkka Julkunen
- Clinical Microbiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Arto A Palmu
- Interventions Unit, Department of Public Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Tampere, Finland
| | - Merit Melin
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
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Obach D, Solastie A, Liedes O, Vara S, Krzyżewska‐Dudek E, Brinkmann L, Haveri A, Hammer CC, Dub T, Meri S, Freitag TL, Lyytikäinen O, Melin M. Impaired immunity and high attack rates caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 variants among vaccinated long‐term care facility residents. Immun Inflamm Dis 2022; 10:e679. [PMID: 36039644 PMCID: PMC9382858 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Long‐term care facilities (LTCF) residents are at high risk for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), and therefore, COVID‐19 vaccinations were prioritized for residents and personnel in Finland at the beginning of 2021. Methods We investigated COVID‐19 outbreaks in two LTCFs, where residents were once or twice vaccinated. After the outbreaks we measured immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike glycoprotein, neutralizing antibody (NAb) titers, and cell‐mediated immunity markers from residents and healthcare workers (HCWs). Results In LTFC‐1, the outbreak was caused by an Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) and the attack rate (AR) among once vaccinated residents was 23%. In LTCF‐2 the outbreak was caused by a Beta variant (B.1.351). Its AR was 47% although all residents had received their second dose 1 month before the outbreak. We observed that vaccination had induced lower IgG concentrations, NAb titers and cell‐mediated immune responses in residents compared to HCWs. Only 1/8 residents had NAb to the Beta variant after two vaccine doses. Conclusions The vaccinated elderly remain susceptible to breakthrough infections caused by Alpha and Beta variants. The weaker vaccine response in the elderly needs to be addressed in vaccination protocols, while new variants capable of evading vaccine‐induced immunity continue to emerge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothée Obach
- Department of Health Security, Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations Unit Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare Helsinki Finland
- European Program for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET) European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, (ECDC) Stockholm Sweden
| | - Anna Solastie
- Department of Health Security, Expert Microbiology Unit Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare Helsinki Finland
| | - Oona Liedes
- Department of Health Security, Expert Microbiology Unit Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare Helsinki Finland
| | - Saimi Vara
- Department of Health Security, Expert Microbiology Unit Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare Helsinki Finland
| | - Eva Krzyżewska‐Dudek
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Translational Immunology Research Program University of Helsinki Finland
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Department of Immunology of Infectious Diseases Polish Academy of Sciences Wroclaw Poland
| | - Luise Brinkmann
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Translational Immunology Research Program University of Helsinki Finland
| | - Anu Haveri
- Department of Health Security, Expert Microbiology Unit Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare Helsinki Finland
| | - Charlotte C. Hammer
- Department of Health Security, Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations Unit Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare Helsinki Finland
- European Program for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET) European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, (ECDC) Stockholm Sweden
| | - Timothée Dub
- Department of Health Security, Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations Unit Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare Helsinki Finland
| | - Seppo Meri
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Translational Immunology Research Program University of Helsinki Finland
| | - Tobias L. Freitag
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Translational Immunology Research Program University of Helsinki Finland
| | - Outi Lyytikäinen
- Department of Health Security, Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations Unit Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare Helsinki Finland
| | - Merit Melin
- Department of Health Security, Expert Microbiology Unit Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare Helsinki Finland
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Dub T, Solastie A, Hagberg L, Liedes O, Nohynek H, Haveri A, Virta C, Vara S, Lasander M, Ekström N, Österlund P, Lind K, Valtonen H, Hemmilä H, Ikonen N, Lukkarinen T, Palmu AA, Melin M. High secondary attack rate and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in household transmission study participants, Finland 2020–2021. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:876532. [PMID: 35966873 PMCID: PMC9366099 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.876532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Household transmission studies offer the opportunity to assess both secondary attack rate (SAR) and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies over time. Methods In Spring 2020, we invited confirmed COVID-19 cases and their household members to four visits, where we collected nasopharyngeal and serum samples over 28 days after index case onset. We calculated SAR based on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (NAb) and assessed the persistence of NAb and IgG antibodies (Ab) against SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein and nucleoprotein. Results SAR was 45% (39/87), including 35 symptomatic secondary cases. During the initial 28-day follow-up, 62% (80/129) of participants developed NAb. Of those that seroconverted, 90% (63/70), 85% (63/74), and 78% (45/58) still had NAb to early B-lineage SARS-CoV-2 3, 6, and 12 months after the onset of the index case. Anti-spike IgG Ab persisted in 100% (69/69), 97% (72/74), and 93% (55/59) of seroconverted participants after 3, 6, and 12 months, while anti-nucleoprotein IgG Ab levels waned faster, persisting in 99% (68/69), 78% (58/74), and 55% (39/71) of participants, respectively. Conclusion Following detection of a COVID-19 case in a household, other members had a high risk of becoming infected. NAb to early B-lineage SARS-CoV-2 persisted for at least a year in most cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothée Dub
- Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna Solastie
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
- *Correspondence: Anna Solastie,
| | - Lotta Hagberg
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Oona Liedes
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hanna Nohynek
- Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anu Haveri
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Camilla Virta
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Saimi Vara
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mervi Lasander
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nina Ekström
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pamela Österlund
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katja Lind
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
- Centre for Military Medicine, Finnish Defence Forces, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hanna Valtonen
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Heidi Hemmilä
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
- Centre for Military Medicine, Finnish Defence Forces, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Niina Ikonen
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Timo Lukkarinen
- Health Stations and Internal Medicine Clinic, Social and Health Care Sector, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Arto A. Palmu
- Department of Public Health Solutions, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Tampere, Finland
| | - Merit Melin
- Expert Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
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Haveri A, Solastie A, Ekström N, Österlund P, Nohynek H, Nieminen T, Palmu AA, Melin M. Neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant after third mRNA vaccination in health care workers and elderly subjects. Eur J Immunol 2022; 52:816-824. [PMID: 35312186 PMCID: PMC9087434 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202149785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) with major spike protein mutations has raised concern over potential neutralization escape and breakthrough infections among vaccinated and previously SARS-CoV-2-infected subjects. We measured cross-protective antibodies against variants in health care workers (HCW, n = 20) and nursing home residents (n = 9) from samples collected at 1-2 months, following the booster (3rd) dose. We also assessed the antibody responses in subjects infected before the Omicron era (n = 38) with subsequent administration of a single mRNA vaccine dose. Following booster vaccination, HCWs had high IgG antibody concentrations to the spike protein and neutralizing antibodies (NAb) were detectable against all variants. IgG concentrations among the elderly remained lower, and some lacked NAbs against the Beta and Omicron variants. NAb titers were significantly reduced against Delta, Beta, and Omicron compared to WT virus regardless of age. Vaccination induced high IgG concentrations and variable titers of cross-reactive NAbs in previously infected subjects, whereas NAb titers against Omicron were barely detectable 1 month postinfection. High IgG concentrations with cross-protective neutralizing activity were detected after three Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine doses in HCWs. However, lower NAb titers seen in the frail elderly suggest inadequate protection against Omicron breakthrough infections, yet protection against severe COVID-19 is expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anu Haveri
- Department of Health SecurityFinnish Institute for Health and WelfareHelsinkiFinland
| | - Anna Solastie
- Department of Health SecurityFinnish Institute for Health and WelfareHelsinkiFinland
| | - Nina Ekström
- Department of Health SecurityFinnish Institute for Health and WelfareHelsinkiFinland
| | - Pamela Österlund
- Department of Health SecurityFinnish Institute for Health and WelfareHelsinkiFinland
| | - Hanna Nohynek
- Department of Health SecurityFinnish Institute for Health and WelfareHelsinkiFinland
| | - Tuomo Nieminen
- Department of Information ServicesFinnish Institute for Health and WelfareHelsinkiFinland
| | - Arto A. Palmu
- Department of Public Health and WelfareFinnish Institute for Health and WelfareTampereFinland
| | - Merit Melin
- Department of Health SecurityFinnish Institute for Health and WelfareHelsinkiFinland
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Solastie A, Virta C, Haveri A, Ekström N, Kantele A, Miettinen S, Lempainen J, Jalkanen P, Kakkola L, Dub T, Julkunen I, Melin M. A Highly Sensitive and Specific SARS-CoV-2 Spike- and Nucleoprotein-Based Fluorescent Multiplex Immunoassay (FMIA) to Measure IgG, IgA, and IgM Class Antibodies. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0113121. [PMID: 34787485 PMCID: PMC8597651 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01131-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Validation and standardization of accurate serological assays are crucial for the surveillance of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and population immunity. We describe the analytical and clinical performance of an in-house fluorescent multiplex immunoassay (FMIA) for simultaneous quantification of antibodies against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleoprotein and spike glycoprotein. Furthermore, we calibrated IgG-FMIA against World Health Organization (WHO) International Standard and compared FMIA results to an in-house enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and a microneutralization test (MNT). We also compared the MNT results of two laboratories. IgG-FMIA displayed 100% specificity and sensitivity for samples collected 13 to 150 days post-onset of symptoms (DPO). For IgA- and IgM-FMIA, 100% specificity and sensitivity were obtained for a shorter time window (13 to 36 and 13 to 28 DPO for IgA- and IgM-FMIA, respectively). FMIA and EIA results displayed moderate to strong correlation, but FMIA was overall more specific and sensitive. IgG-FMIA identified 100% of samples with neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). Anti-spike IgG concentrations correlated strongly (ρ = 0.77 to 0.84, P < 2.2 × 10-16) with NAb titers, and the two laboratories' NAb titers displayed a very strong correlation (ρ = 0.95, P < 2.2 × 10-16). Our results indicate good correlation and concordance of antibody concentrations measured with different types of in-house SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays. Calibration against the WHO international standard did not, however, improve the comparability of FMIA and EIA results. IMPORTANCE SARS-CoV-2 serological assays with excellent clinical performance are essential for reliable estimation of the persistence of immunity after infection or vaccination. In this paper we present a thoroughly validated SARS-CoV-2 serological assay with excellent clinical performance and good comparability to neutralizing antibody titers. Neutralization tests are still considered the gold standard for SARS-CoV-2 serological assays, but our assay can identify samples with neutralizing antibodies with 100% sensitivity and 96% specificity without the need for laborious and slow biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) facility-requiring analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Solastie
- Department of Health Security, Expert Microbiology Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Camilla Virta
- Department of Health Security, Expert Microbiology Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anu Haveri
- Department of Health Security, Expert Microbiology Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nina Ekström
- Department of Health Security, Expert Microbiology Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anu Kantele
- Meilahti Infectious Diseases and Vaccination Research Center, MeiVac, Department of Infectious Diseases, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Simo Miettinen
- Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Johanna Lempainen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Pinja Jalkanen
- Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Laura Kakkola
- Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Timothée Dub
- Department of Health Security, Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilkka Julkunen
- Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Clinical Microbiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Merit Melin
- Department of Health Security, Expert Microbiology Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
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Haveri A, Ekström N, Solastie A, Virta C, Österlund P, Isosaari E, Nohynek H, Palmu AA, Melin M. Persistence of neutralizing antibodies a year after SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:3202-3213. [PMID: 34580856 PMCID: PMC8646652 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202149535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Most subjects develop antibodies to SARS‐CoV‐2 following infection. In order to estimate the duration of immunity induced by SARS‐CoV‐2 it is important to understand for how long antibodies persist after infection in humans. Here, we assessed the persistence of serum antibodies following WT SARS‐CoV‐2 infection at 8 and 13 months after diagnosis in 367 individuals. The SARS‐CoV‐2 spike IgG (S‐IgG) and nucleoprotein IgG (N‐IgG) concentrations and the proportion of subjects with neutralizing antibodies (NAb) were assessed. Moreover, the NAb titers among a smaller subset of participants (n = 78) against a WT virus (B) and variants of concern (VOCs): Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), and Delta (B.1.617.2) were determined. We found that NAb against the WT virus persisted in 89% and S‐IgG in 97% of subjects for at least 13 months after infection. Only 36% had N‐IgG by 13 months. The mean S‐IgG concentrations declined from 8 to 13 months by less than one third; N‐IgG concentrations declined by two‐thirds. Subjects with severe infection had markedly higher IgG and NAb levels and are expected to remain seropositive for longer. Significantly lower NAb titers against the variants compared to the WT virus, especially after a mild disease, suggests reduced protection against VOCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anu Haveri
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nina Ekström
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna Solastie
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Camilla Virta
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pamela Österlund
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Elina Isosaari
- Department of Public Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hanna Nohynek
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Arto A Palmu
- Department of Public Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Merit Melin
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
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Solastie A, Leino T, Ollgren J. Success of rotavirus vaccination in Finland, a register based study measuring impact beyond overall effectiveness. Vaccine 2020; 38:3766-3772. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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