Understanding the nature of immunity following mild/asymptomatic infection with SARS-CoV-2 is crucial to controlling the pandemic. We analyzed T cell and neutralizing antibody responses in 136 healthcare workers (HCW) 16-18 weeks after United Kingdom lockdown, 76 of whom had mild/asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection captured by serial sampling. Neutralizing antibodies (nAb) were present in 89% of previously infected HCW. T cell responses tended to be lower following asymptomatic infection than in those reporting case-definition symptoms of COVID-19, while nAb titers were maintained irrespective of symptoms. T cell and antibody responses were sometimes discordant. Eleven percent lacked nAb and had undetectable T cell responses to spike protein but had T cells reactive with other SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Our findings suggest that the majority of individuals with mild or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection carry nAb complemented by multispecific T cell responses at 16-18 weeks after mild or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Uncoupling of neutralizing antibody and T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 antigens occurs in some mild or asymptomatic cases of COVID-19.
【초록키워드】 COVID-19, neutralizing antibody, pandemic, Immunity, Neutralizing antibodies, antibody, lockdown, T cells, SARS-COV-2 infection, Antibody Response, Symptoms, healthcare worker, Spike protein, T cell, Antibody responses, Asymptomatic, T cell responses, asymptomatic infection, Asymptomatic case, understanding, Mild, SARS-CoV-2 antigen, United Kingdom, T cell response, Neutralizing antibody response, NAb, SARS-CoV-2 antigens, HCW, in some, individual, neutralizing antibody responses, symptoms of COVID-19, NAb titers, uncoupling, reactive, analyzed, majority, occur, infection with SARS-CoV-2, undetectable, 【제목키워드】 Asymptomatic, T cell response, mild SARS-CoV-2 infection,