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Asymptomatic coronavirus patients appear to lose detectable antibodies earlier than people who have developed COVID-19 symptoms, according to one of the largest such studies in Britain. Findings from Imperial College London and market research firm Ipsos Mori also suggest that antibody loss was slower in young people aged 18 to 24 compared to those aged 75 and over.
Overall, samples from hundreds of thousands of people in England between mid-June and late September showed that the prevalence of antibodies to the virus was reduced by more than a quarter. The study, called REACT-2, commissioned by the British government and published Tuesday by Imperial, indicates that people’s immune response to COVID-19 declines over time after infection.
But the scientists involved cautioned that much is still unknown about people’s long-term antibody response to the virus.
ICL observed 365,000 people in three rounds of testing for coronavirus antibodies between June 20 and September 28. They found that the number of people with antibodies dropped by 26.5% since the summer, when the blockage was first relieved.
In late June and early July, 6% of people had antibodies to the virus, but at the start of the second wave last month, it dropped to 4.4%.
This means that people can get reinfected regularly, as occurs with the common cold. However, a vaccine could lead to a better antibody response.
Dr. Paul Elliott, program director at Imperial, said: “Our study shows that over time, there is a reduction in the proportion of people who test positive for antibodies. Testing positive for antibodies does not mean that you are immune to COVID. 19.
“It is not clear what level of immunity the antibodies provide, or how long this immunity lasts. If someone tests positive for antibodies, they should still follow national guidelines, including social distancing measures, get a swab test if they have symptoms and wear face coverings when necessary. “
However, the research found that the number of healthcare workers who tested positive for antibodies did not change over time, which could reflect repeated or higher initial exposure to the virus.
“This large study has shown that the proportion of people with detectable antibodies is decreasing over time,” said Helen Ward, one of the lead authors.
“We do not yet know if this will leave these people at risk of reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19, but they must all follow the guidelines to reduce the risk to themselves and others.”
The study also shattered the hopes of some that herd immunity could be a way out of the pandemic.
Herd immunity needs 50-60% of the population to be immune to the virus so that it no longer spreads effectively, but the new study showed that instead of having more people immune as the pandemic progresses, the trend it’s actually in the opposite direction. .
Regarding the vaccine, there has been some positive news.
The vaccine under development by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca, which is leading the global race to develop a safe and effective vaccine, has been found to elicit an immune response in both the elderly and young, AstraZeneca said.
