Exposure to avian coronavirus vaccines is associated with increased
levels of SARS-CoV-2-cross-reactive antibodies
Abstract
Background: Although avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis
virus (IBV) and SARS-CoV-2 belong to different genera of the
Coronaviridae family, exposure to IBV may result in the
development of cross-reactive antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 due to homologous
epitopes. We aimed to investigate whether antibody responses to IBV
cross-react with SARS-CoV-2 in poultry farm personnel who are
occupationally exposed to aerosolized IBV vaccines. Methods: We
analyzed sera from poultry farm personnel, COVID-19 patients, and
pre-pandemic controls. IgG levels against the SARS-CoV-2 antigens S1,
RBD, S2, and N and peptides corresponding to the SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a, N,
and S proteins as well as whole virus antigens of the four major
S1-genotypes 4/91, IS/1494/06, M41, and D274 of IBV were investigated by
in-house ELISAs. Moreover, live-virus neutralization test (VNT) was
performed. Results: A subgroup of poultry farm personnel showed
elevated levels of specific IgG for all tested SARS-CoV-2 antigens
compared to pre-pandemic controls. Moreover, poultry farm personnel,
COVID-19 patients, and pre-pandemic controls showed specific IgG
antibodies against IBV strains. These antibody titers were higher in
long-term vaccine implementers. We observed a strong correlation between
IBV-specific IgG and SARS-CoV-2 S1-, RBD-, S2-, and N-specific IgG in
poultry farm personnel compared to pre-pandemic controls and COVID-19
patients. However, no neutralization was observed for these
cross-reactive antibodies from poultry farm personnel using the VNT.
Conclusion: We report here for the first time the detection of
cross-reactive IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 antigens in humans
exposed to IBV vaccines. These findings have implications for future
vaccination strategies and possibly cross-reactive T cell immunity.