Recent infection with HCoV-OC43 may be associated with protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection
A.H. Ayesha Lavell, Jonne J. Sikkens, Arthur W.D. Edridge, Karlijn van der Straten, Ferdyansyah Sechan, Melissa Oomen, David T. P. Buis, Michiel Schinkel, Judith A. Burger, Meliawati Poniman, Jacqueline van Rijswijk, Menno D. de Jong, Godelieve J. de Bree, Edgar Peters, Yvo M. Smulders, Rogier W. Sanders, Marit J. van Gils, Lia van der Hoek, Marije K. Bomers
Abstract
Antibodies against seasonal human coronaviruses (HCoVs) are known to cross-react with SARS-CoV-2, but data on cross-protective effects of prior HCoV infections are conflicting. In a prospective cohort of healthcare workers (HCWs), we studied the association between seasonal HCoV (OC43, HKU1, 229E and NL63) nucleocapsid protein IgG and SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first pandemic wave in the Netherlands (March 2020 - June 2020), by 4-weekly serum sampling. HCW with HCoV-OC43 antibody levels in the highest quartile, were less likely to become SARS-CoV-2 seropositive when compared with those with lower levels (6/32, 18.8%, versus 42/97, 43.3%, respectively: p = 0.019; HR 0.37, 95% CI 0.16-0.88). We found no significant association with HCoV-OC43 spike protein IgG, or with antibodies against other HCoVs. Our results indicate that the high levels of HCoV-OC43-nucleocapsid antibodies, as an indicator of a recent infection, are associated with protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection; this supports and informs efforts to develop pancoronavirus vaccines.