August 19, 2020

Neutralizing Antibodies Correlate with Protection from SARS-CoV-2 in Humans during a Fishery Vessel Outbreak with High Attack Rate

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Vaccines and Immunity

• [Pre-print, not peer reviewed] Three individuals with pre-existing neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were not re-infected while they were aboard a fishing vessel that experienced a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak with a high attack rate, providing some of the first direct evidence for potential immunity following infection. Out of a crew of 122, a total of 104 individuals had a positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test or seroconverted during the follow-up period (attack rate of 85%). Only three crewmembers tested seropositive prior to the boat’s departure in initial serological screening and also had neutralizing and spike-reactive antibodies in follow-up assays. None of these crewmembers with neutralizing antibody titers showed evidence of bona fide viral infection or experienced any symptoms during the viral outbreak.  

Addetia et al. (Aug 14, 2020). Neutralizing Antibodies Correlate with Protection from SARS-CoV-2 in Humans during a Fishery Vessel Outbreak with High Attack Rate. Pre-print downloaded Aug 19 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.08.13.20173161