IgG Seroconversion and Pathophysiology in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection
Henry M. Staines, Daniela E. Kirwan, David J. Clark, Emily R. Adams, Yolanda Augustin, Rachel L. Byrne, Michael Cocozza, Ana I. Cubas-Atienzar, Luís E. Cuevas, Martina Cusinato, Benedict M O Davies, Mark M. Davis, Paul J. Davis, Annelyse Duvoix, Nicholas M Eckersley, Daniel Forton, Alice J. Fraser, Gala Garrod, Linda Hadcocks, Qinxue Hu, Michael Johnson, Grant A. Kay, Kesja Klekotko, Zawditu Lewis, Derek C. Macallan, Josephine Mensah-Kane, Stefanie K. Menzies, Irene M. Monahan, Catherine M. Moore, Gerhard Nebe‐von‐Caron, Sophie I. Owen, Chris Sainter, Amadou A. Sall, James Schouten, Christopher T. Williams, John A. Wilkins, Kevin Woolston, Joseph R A Fitchett, Sanjeev Krishna, Tim Planche
Abstract
We investigated the dynamics of seroconversion in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. During March 29-May 22, 2020, we collected serum samples and associated clinical data from 177 persons in London, UK, who had SARS-CoV-2 infection. We measured IgG against SARS-CoV-2 and compared antibody levels with patient outcomes, demographic information, and laboratory characteristics. We found that 2.0%-8.5% of persons did not seroconvert 3-6 weeks after infection. Persons who seroconverted were older, were more likely to have concurrent conditions, and had higher levels of inflammatory markers. Non-White persons had higher antibody concentrations than those who identified as White; these concentrations did not decline during follow-up. Serologic assay results correlated with disease outcome, race, and other risk factors for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Serologic assays can be used in surveillance to clarify the duration and protective nature of humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection.