March 23, 2021

Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 Generates T-Cell Memory in the Absence of a Detectable Viral Infection

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Vaccines and Immunity

Keywords (Tags): immunity

• Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 may still lead to the development of SARS-CoV-2-specific memory T cells in the absence of detectable SARS-CoV-2 virus or antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 antigens (spike and nucleocapsid). In blood samples collected from 69 individuals between 48 and 86 days after close contact with an individual with a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, 58% and 14% of individuals developed SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, respectively. In contrast, only 3.7% of blood samples from 63 healthy donors collected before September 2019 contained detectable levels of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. 

Wang et al. (Dec 19, 2021). Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 Generates T-Cell Memory in the Absence of a Detectable Viral Infection. Nature Communications. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22036-z