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. 2022 Feb 24;17(2):e0264124.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264124. eCollection 2022.

Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 total immunoglobulins in a series of convalescent plasma and blood donors

M Carmen Martin  1 , Ana Jimenez  1 , Nuria Ortega  1 , Alba Parrado  1 , Isabel Page  1 , M Isabel Gonzalez  1 , Lydia Blanco-Peris  1
Affiliations

Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 total immunoglobulins in a series of convalescent plasma and blood donors

M Carmen Martin et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: The vast majority of COVID-19 cases both symptomatic and asymptomatic develop immunity after COVID-19 contagion. Whether lasting differences exist between infection and vaccination boosted immunity is yet to be known. The aim of this study was to determine how long total anti-SARS-CoV2 antibodies due to past infection persist in peripheral blood and whether sex, age or haematological features can influence their lasting.

Material and methods: A series of 2421 donations either of SARS-CoV-2 convalescent plasma or whole blood from 1107 repeat donors from January 2020 to March 2021 was analysed. An automated chemiluminescence immunoassay for total antibodies recognizing the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 in human serum and plasma was performed. Sex, age, blood group, blood cell counts and percentages and immunoglobulin concentrations were extracted from electronic recordings. Blood donation is allowed after a minimum of one-month post symptom's relapse. Donors were 69.7% males and their average age was 46. The 250 donors who had later donations after a positive one underwent further analysis. Both qualitative (positivity) and quantitative (rise or decline of optical density regarding consecutive donations) outcomes were evaluated.

Results and discussion: In 97.6% of donors with follow-up, anti-SARS-CoV-2 protein N total antibodies remained positive at the end of a follow-up period of 12.4 weeks median time (1-46, SD = 9.65) after the first positive determination. The blood group was not related to antibody waning. Lower lymphocyte counts and higher neutrophils would help predict future waning or decay of antibodies. Most recovered donors maintain their total anti-SARS-CoV-2 N protein antibodies for at least 16 weeks (at least one month must have been awaited from infection resolution to blood donation). The 10 individuals that could be followed up longer than 40 weeks (approximately 44 weeks after symptom's relapse) were all still positive.

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Conflict of interest statement

MCM participated as lecturer in two sponsored symposia managed by Roche. No other relevant relationship is to be declared relating to employment, consultancy, patents, products in development or marketed products. I hereby confirm this does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials as detailed online in the guide for authors.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. OD ratios along time.
OD ratios from total immunoglobulins recognizing SARS-CoV-2 N protein of second over first donation are represented vs time lapse between them (weeks). OD: Optical density.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Analysis of age and haemogram.
Comparison of age, OD from total immunoglobulins recognizing anti SARS-CoV-2 N protein, and haemogram in donations from antibody-keeping and antibody-waning donors. Wane: A positive donor becomes negative. OD: Optical density.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Outcomes of anti SARS-CoV-2 total antibodies.
Proportion of donors keeping or waning total immunoglobulins recognizing anti SARS-CoV-2 N protein and donors whose total immunoglobulins recognizing anti SARS-CoV-2 N protein will decline, remain the same or rise. Wane: Positive donor becomes negative; decline: OD under 90% of the previous one; stay: OD +/-10% of the previous one; rise: OD over 110% of the previous one.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Sex and age relationship to outcomes of anti SARS-CoV-2 total antibodies.
Proportion of donors keeping or waning total immunoglobulins recognizing anti SARS-CoV-2 N protein and donors whose total immunoglobulins recognizing anti SARS-CoV-2 N protein will decline, remain the same or rise, layered by sex and by age group. Wane: Positive donor becomes negative; decline: OD under 90% of the previous one; stay: OD +/-10% of the previous one; rise: OD over 110% of the previous one.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Analysis of age, haemogram and immunoglobulins in donations.
Comparison of age, haemogram, and total, non-specific immunoglobulins in donations from donors whose total immunoglobulins recognizing anti SARS-CoV-2 N protein will decline, remain the same or rise, as regarding their second donation. Decay: OD under 90% of the previous one; stay: OD +/-10% of the previous one; rise: OD over 110% of the previous one.
Fig 6
Fig 6. Summary of changes in in anti SARS-CoV-2 total antibodies related to age and hematological parameters.
Downshift arrows indicate that low values of the parameter in rows are related to the fact in columns. Wane: Positive donor becomes negative; decay: OD under 90% of the previous one; stay: OD +/-10% of the previous one; rise: OD over 110% of the previous one. Light-coloured arrows represent statistic trends (0.05 < p <0.2).
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