Summary Information concerning the longevity of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 following natural infection may have considerable implications for durability of immunity induced by vaccines. Here, we monitored the SARS-CoV-2 specific immune response in COVID-19 patients followed up to 15 months after symptoms onset. Following a peak at day 15–28 postinfection, the IgG antibody response and plasma neutralizing titers gradually decreased over time but stabilized after 6 months. Compared to G614, plasma neutralizing titers were more than 8-fold lower against variants Beta, Gamma, and Delta. SARS-CoV-2-specific memory B and T cells persisted in the majority of patients up to 15 months although a significant decrease in specific T cells, but not B cells, was observed between 6 and 15 months. Antiviral specific immunity, especially memory B cells in COVID-19 convalescent patients, is long-lasting, but some variants of concern may at least partially escape the neutralizing activity of plasma antibodies. Graphical abstract Highlights • Plasma neutralizing antibodies persist in the majority of patients up to 15 months • Neutralizing activity is lower against variants of concern Delta, Beta, and Gamma • Specific memory B and T cells were present in 95% of patients up to 15 months • Specific T cells, but not B cells, were decreased between 6 and 15 months Immunology; Immune response; Virology
【저자키워드】 immunology, immune response, Virology, 【초록키워드】 neutralizing antibody, antibodies, SARS-CoV-2, Immunity, Vaccines, variant, B cells, variants of concern, Delta, Neutralizing activity, IgG antibody, Patient, Gamma, plasma, Beta, natural infection, memory B cell, COVID-19 patient, Abstract, symptoms onset, significant decrease, Specific, implication, COVID-19 convalescent patients, memory B, Postinfection, majority, long-lasting, concerning, plasma neutralizing titer, the SARS-CoV-2, 【제목키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, Infection,