Distinct SARS-CoV-2 antibody reactivity patterns elicited by natural infection and mRNA vaccination
Year: 2021
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: We analyzed data from two ongoing COVID-19 longitudinal serological surveys in Orange County, CA., between April 2020 and March 2021. A total of 8476 finger stick blood specimens were collected before and after a vaccination campaign. IgG levels were determined using a multiplex antigen microarray containing antigens from SARS-CoV-2, SARS, MERS, Common CoV, and Influenza. Twenty-six percent of specimens from unvaccinated Orange County residents in December 2020 were SARS-CoV-2 seropositive; out of 852 seropositive individuals 77 had symptoms and 9 sought medical care. The antibody response was predominantly against nucleocapsid (NP), full length, and S2 domain of spike. Anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) reactivity was low and not cross-reactive against SARS S1 or SARS RBD. A vaccination campaign at the University of California Irvine Medical Center (UCIMC) started on December, 2020 and 6724 healthcare workers were vaccinated within 3 weeks. Seroprevalence increased from 13% pre-vaccination to 79% post-vaccination in January, 93% in February, and 99% in March. mRNA vaccination induced higher antibody levels than natural exposure, especially against the RBD domain and cross-reactivity against SARS RBD and S1 was observed. Nucleocapsid protein antibodies can be used to distinguish vaccinees to classify pre-exposure to SARS-CoV-2 Previously infected individuals developed higher antibody titers to the vaccine than non pre-exposed individuals. Hospitalized patients in intensive care with severe disease reach significantly higher antibody levels than mild cases, but lower antibody levels compared to the vaccine. These results indicate that mRNA vaccination rapidly induces a much stronger and broader antibody response than SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Source: npj Vaccines
Authors: Rafael Assis, Aarti Jain, Rie Nakajima, Algis Jasinskas, Saahir Khan, Anton Palma, Daniel M. Parker, Anthony Chau, Specimen Collection Group, Sina Hosseinian, Milind Vasudev, Connie Au, Kathleen Powers, Paramveer S. Birring, Brandon Chin, Rana Andary, Joshua M. Obiero, Delia Tifrea, Amanda Leung, Christina Grabar, Fjolla Muqolli, Ghali Khalil, Jessica Colin Escobar, Jenny Ventura, D. Huw Davies, Bruce Albala, Bernadette Boden-Albala, Sebastian Schubl, Philip L. Felgner
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,170
Funders: National Institutes of Health, Federal Emergency Management Agency, University of California, Irvine, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Fogarty International Center, National Center for Research Resources, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
OpenAlex ID: W3208413321