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. 2023 Jun 30;11(7):1184.
doi: 10.3390/vaccines11071184.

SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Dynamics after COVID-19 Vaccination and Infection: A Real-World Cross-Sectional Analysis

Ritthideach Yorsaeng  1 , Kamolthip Atsawawaranunt  2 , Nungruthai Suntronwong  1 , Sitthichai Kanokudom  1 , Jira Chansaenroj  1 , Suvichada Assawakosri  1 , Pornjarim Nilyanimit  1 , Ratchadawan Aeemjinda  1 , Nongkanok Khanarat  1 , Lakkhana Wongsrisang  1 , Chompoonut Auphimai  1 , Preeyaporn Vichaiwattana  1 , Sirapa Klinfueng  1 , Thanunrat Thongmee  1 , Donchida Srimuan  1 , Thaksaporn Thatsanathorn  1 , Natthinee Sudhinaraset  1 , Nasamon Wanlapakorn  1 , Yong Poovorawan  1   3
Affiliations

SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Dynamics after COVID-19 Vaccination and Infection: A Real-World Cross-Sectional Analysis

Ritthideach Yorsaeng et al. Vaccines (Basel). .

Abstract

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), continues to surge despite the widespread use of vaccination. In Thailand, more than 77% and 39% of the population received two doses and three doses of COVID-19 vaccines as of December 2022, respectively. In addition, during the Omicron predominant period in 2022, more than 70% of Thai individuals have been infected. To gain comprehensive insight into SARS-CoV-2 antibody dynamics following vaccination or following vaccination and infection (hybrid immunity), we performed a cross-sectional analysis of sera samples from individuals who received COVID-19 vaccination and/or have been infected with COVID-19 in Thailand between January 2021 and December 2022. A total of 4126 samples were collected. Humoral immunity was evaluated by quantifying the immunoglobulin (including IgG, IgM, and IgA isotypes) specific to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) or Ig anti-RBD. The results showed that individuals who received two-dose vaccination alone had lower levels of Ig anti-RBD, which rapidly waned over time. To restore the waning antibody, a third dose vaccination is recommended for uninfected individuals who have only received 2 doses.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; anti-RBD; booster; humoral immunity; infection; vaccine.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart of this study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The Ig anti-RBD levels by vaccination dose and history of infection. This figure shows the relation between antibody levels and time since each group’s last dose (days). Non-infected; (A) 2-dose, (B) 3-dose, and (C) 4-dose. Infected; (D) 2-dose, (E) 3-dose, and (F) 4-dose. Trendlines are based on a one-phase exponential decay assumption.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The Ig anti-RBD levels by vaccination dose and history of infection. This figure shows the relation between antibody levels and time since each group’s last dose (days). Non-infected; (A) 2-dose, (B) 3-dose, and (C) 4-dose. Infected; (D) 2-dose, (E) 3-dose, and (F) 4-dose. A log-transformed data was used and converted to a geometric mean ratio (GMR) with a Bonferroni adjustment. The statistically significant symbol denotes; p < 0.05 (*) and p < 0.0001 (****). p > 0.05 is no statistical significance (ns).
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