Analysis of long-term antibody response in COVID-19 patients by symptoms
grade, gender, age, BMI, and treatments regimens
Abstract
Objective: The severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2
(SARS-CoV-2) and the resulting COVID-19 pandemic pose significant
challenges in terms of diagnosis and recurrent infections. Literature
data suggest that age, gender and BMI factors are associated with immune
response. The first aim of the study was to analyze the change in
antibody titer at 15-day intervals until 60 days post symptom onset
(PSO) The second aim was to analyze relationship between antibody titer
and symptom grade, gender, age, BMI, therapeutic drugs, vitamin
supplements, and herbal therapies. Materials and methods: Blood samples
were collected from 43 patients (5 mild, 21 moderate, 17 severe
diseases), 18 women (41.9 %), and 25 men (58.1 %), on 15, 30, 45, and
60 days PSO after COVID-19 infection. The serum antibody titers were
determined by measuring the COVID-19 IgG antibodies by ELISA.
Associations between the duration of symptoms, demographic and clinical
parameters, medications and vitamins used, and herbal therapies were
evaluated by interviewing the participants. Results: Within the first 15
days of illness, 81.4% of the patients were positive. From day 45 PSO,
seropositivity was 89.5%. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers were
statistically higher in men than women at all-time (p<0.01).
Antibody titer was higher in older participants compared to younger
participants (p<0.02). Plaquenil or Favipiravir use did not
effect antibody response (p>0.05). Men had higher fever
(p=0.006), shortness of breath (p=0.004), and chest pain (p=0.03) than
women. Conclusion: We found powerful antibody response by sixty days
PSO, as well as higher antibody response and severity of symptoms in men
gender. Data also showed that SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are higher in
individuals with older age, whereas BMI, coexisting chronic disease, and
drug used had no effect on antibody titers.