July 27, 2020

SARS-CoV-2-IgG Response Is Different in COVID-19 Outpatients and Asymptomatic Contact Persons

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

• Wellinghausen et al. conducted a retrospective analysis of serum samples (n=158) from a German cohort of PCR confirmed COVID-19 outpatients and asymptomatic contact persons (n=158) and found that overall positivity rate for SARS-CoV-2-IgG was 81% among outpatients and 15% among asymptomatic contacts. 
• Symptomatic outpatients had a higher viral load, based on PCR cycle counts, compared to asymptomatic contacts (5-7 threshold cycles). Viral load was also positively correlated with SARS-CoV-2-IgG ratio. The authors hypothesize that the lower viral load in asymptomatic cases could explain the lower sero-prevalence in those without symptoms. 

Wellinghausen et al. (July 6, 2020). SARS-CoV-2-IgG Response Is Different in COVID-19 Outpatients and Asymptomatic Contact Persons. Journal of Clinical Virology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcv.2020.104542