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Meta-Analysis
. 2022 Jul;116(5):269-281.
doi: 10.1080/20477724.2022.2029301. Epub 2022 Jan 31.

The prevalence of adaptive immunity to COVID-19 and reinfection after recovery - a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis

Tawanda Chivese  1 , Joshua T Matizanadzo  2 , Omran A H Musa  1 , George Hindy  1 , Luis Furuya-Kanamori  3 , Nazmul Islam  4 , Rafal Al-Shebly  1 , Rana Shalaby  1 , Mohammad Habibullah  1 , Talal A Al-Marwani  1 , Rizeq F Hourani  1 , Ahmed D Nawaz  1 , Mohammad Z Haider  1 , Mohamed M Emara  5   6 , Farhan Cyprian  5 , Suhail A R Doi  1
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

The prevalence of adaptive immunity to COVID-19 and reinfection after recovery - a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis

Tawanda Chivese et al. Pathog Glob Health. 2022 Jul.

Abstract

This study aims to estimate the prevalence and longevity of detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and T and B memory cells after recovery. In addition, the prevalence of COVID-19 reinfection and the preventive efficacy of previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 were investigated. A synthesis of existing research was conducted. The Cochrane Library, the China Academic Journals Full Text Database, PubMed, and Scopus, and preprint servers were searched for studies conducted between 1 January 2020 to 1 April 2021. Included studies were assessed for methodological quality and pooled estimates of relevant outcomes were obtained in a meta-analysis using a bias adjusted synthesis method. Proportions were synthesized with the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation and binary outcomes using the odds ratio (OR). Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 and Cochran's Q statistics and publication bias was assessed using Doi plots. Fifty-four studies from 18 countries, with around 12,000,000 individuals, followed up to 8 months after recovery, were included. At 6-8 months after recovery, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 specific immunological memory remained high; IgG - 90.4% (95%CI 72.2-99.9, I2 = 89.0%), CD4+ - 91.7% (95%CI 78.2-97.1y), and memory B cells 80.6% (95%CI 65.0-90.2) and the pooled prevalence of reinfection was 0.2% (95%CI 0.0-0.7, I2 = 98.8). Individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 had an 81% reduction in odds of a reinfection (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.1-0.3, I2 = 90.5%). Around 90% of recovered individuals had evidence of immunological memory to SARS-CoV-2, at 6-8 months after recovery and had a low risk of reinfection.RegistrationPROSPERO: CRD42020201234.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; adaptive immunity; antibodies; preventive efficacy; reinfection.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Flow chart showing the search and inclusion of studies.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Map showing country of origin of included studies.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG, memory CD4+ and CD8+ cells after recovery from COVID-19.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection ≥3 months after recovery from COVID-19.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Pooled odds ratio of infection with SARS-CoV-2 in individuals with prior COVID-19 compared with those without prior infection.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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