Characterization of anti viral immunity in recovered individuals infected by SARS CoV 2
The WHO has declared SARS CoV 2 outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. However, to date, there was hardly any study in characterizing the immune responses, especially adaptive immune responses to SARS CoV 2 infection. In this study, we collected blood from COVID 19 patients who have recently become virus free and therefore were discharged, and analyzed their SARS CoV 2 specific antibody and T cell responses. We observed SARS CoV 2 specific humoral and cellular immunity in the patients. Both were detected in newly discharged patients, suggesting both participate in immune mediated protection to viral infection. However, follow up patients (2 weeks post discharge) exhibited high titers of IgG antibodies, but with low levels of virus specific T cells, suggesting that they may enter a quiescent state. Our work has thus provided a basis for further analysis of protective immunity to SARS CoV 2, and understanding the pathogenesis of COVID 19, especially in the severe cases. It has also implications in designing an effective vaccine to protect and treat SARS CoV 2 infection.
medRxiv