The researchers found that neutralizing antibodies were over 70% even at the end of six months. While IgG showed an initial contraction but stabilised at relatively high levels over the six months observation period, IgM became undetectable in most patients three months after disease onset. Novel coronavirus-specific antibodies — IgM and IgG antibodies — were … Continue reading Novel coronavirus-specific nutralising antibodies last at least for six months
Broadly neutralising antibodies
SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell immunity prevents recurrent severe COVID-19 disease
The immune system elicits robust, broad and highly functional memory T cell responses once a person is infected with novel coronavirus. T cells were found even in the absence of detectable antibodies specific to SARS-CoV-2. This indicates a previously unanticipated degree of population-level immunity against COVID-19. Natural exposure or infection with the novel coronavirus may … Continue reading SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell immunity prevents recurrent severe COVID-19 disease
Interim results of phase-1-2 trials find inactivated coronavirus vaccine is safe
Interim results of Phase-1 and Phase-2 trials of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine carried out in China show that the vaccine is well tolerated, safe, and produced neutralizing antibodies at 14 days after booster vaccination. Over 90% receiving the vaccine developed neutralizing antibodies. Interim results of Phase-1 and Phase-2 trials of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine carried out … Continue reading Interim results of phase-1-2 trials find inactivated coronavirus vaccine is safe
One more study shows people unexposed to novel coronavirus have pre-existing immunity
One more study has shown that pre-existing T cell memory against four common cold coronaviruses can cross-recognise novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) even when the person has never been infected with SARS-CoV-2 before. One more study has shown that pre-existing T cell memory against four common cold coronaviruses can cross-recognise novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) even when the person … Continue reading One more study shows people unexposed to novel coronavirus have pre-existing immunity
Some people unexposed to novel coronavirus have pre-existing immunity
At least five studies found people unexposed to novel coronavirus exhibiting T cell immune responses specific to SARS-CoV-2. This might be arising from memory T cells derived from previous exposure to ‘common cold’ coronaviruses. This may have implications in infection prevention/disease progression and vaccine development. At least five studies (one published in journal Cell, and … Continue reading Some people unexposed to novel coronavirus have pre-existing immunity
Antibodies from convalescent plasma protects against COVID-19
The researchers found passive transfer of neutralising antibodies isolated from convalescent plasma into Syrian hamsters protect the animals against the disease when exposed to the virus and also protects hamsters against heavy viral exposure. A team of scientists led by Dennis R. Burton from the Scripps Research Institute has discovered neutralising antibodies present in the … Continue reading Antibodies from convalescent plasma protects against COVID-19
Antibodies against coronavirus start to decrease in 2-3 months, study finds
The study found IgG levels and neutralizing antibodies started to decrease within two-three months after infection with novel coronavirus. The reduction was more (40%) in the case asymptomatic individuals than symptomatic individuals (nearly 13%). A few countries, including UK, were toying with the idea of issuing some form of a certificate to people who have … Continue reading Antibodies against coronavirus start to decrease in 2-3 months, study finds
COVID-19: Younger patients develop less neutralising antibodies
About 30% of patients with mild symptoms failed to develop high amounts of neutralising antibodies even after recovering from COVID-19 disease. If natural infection with novel coronavirus does not elicit strong immune response, how much will vaccines be able to achieve. Analysis of blood samples from 175 patients with mild COVID-19 disease who were discharged … Continue reading COVID-19: Younger patients develop less neutralising antibodies
Controling HIV-like virus in monkeys by early intervention
In an interesting study, the immune system of monkeys was found capable of controlling HIV-like virus (simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)) when treatment with a combination of two broadly neutralising antibodies was started three days after infection. The immune system of the animals was found to control the virus even after the anti-HIV antibodies were no … Continue reading Controling HIV-like virus in monkeys by early intervention
Editorial: Gene therapy offers fresh hope
Published in The Hindu on December 14, 2011 While a quarter century of single-minded effort to find an efficacious HIV vaccine has met with only a limited success, a team of researchers led by Nobel Laureate David Baltimore has obtained promising results in prevention of HIV infection in mice by adopting a radically different approach. … Continue reading Editorial: Gene therapy offers fresh hope
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