what are they, how long are they and more answers

An American baby was born with antibodies because his mother had received a vaccine against the coronavirus. In Switzerland, an institute is developing a double antibody that offers hope as a treatment. Meanwhile, in Argentina, demand for antibody testing is skyrocketing.

Antibodies here, antibodies there. Everyone is talking about it in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. But what are they? How long do they last? Who has them? Here, we answer the questions many of us have.

What are Antibodies?

Antibodies are proteins that are part of the immune system and circulate in the blood. They are generated by the body (in this case human) against viruses, bacteria or other microorganisms that “invade”.

May appear Natural way after contagion or be induced by the vaccine.

As published by the World Health Organization (WHO), antibodies that work against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, can usually be detected in the first weeks of infection.

The presence of antibodies indicates that the person was infected with SARS-CoV-2, whether you have had a severe or mild illness, or have had no symptoms, says the WHO.

Does its presence mean that the person is immune?

“A patient with antibodies not necessarily immune to Covid-19 “, answers Bugle Gustavo Marino, Head of Allergology and Clinical Immunology at Austral University Hospital.

As with any viral infection, the organism “defends itself” first through an innate and nonspecific system and then through a specific response, which can be humoral (via antibodies) and another cellular or mediated by T lymphocytes.

Antibodies can only work before Covid-19 “enters” our cells. So the more antibodies we have, in theory, the more the virus could be neutralized. The problem, Marino points out, is that viruses ‘get into’ our cells quickly and when they do. antibodies are ineffective.

“To eliminate the virus in the patient’s cells, the presence of T lymphocytes is required specific (who respond against Covid-19). The latter is the most effective way for the body to defend itself, ”concludes Marino.

Are there different levels of antibodies?

On its website, the WHO indicates that many studies are underway to better understand the response of antibodies to infection with SARS-CoV-2. Some research has concluded that the majority of people infected develop specific antibodies against this virus.

However – continues the world health authority – the levels of these antibodies can vary between those with severe illness and those with mild illness or asymptomatic infection. In the first case, there will be high antibody levels and in the second, low.

Are there people more or less able to generate them?

Dr Marino says older adults, pregnant women, children and people with compromised immune systems will have less antibody levels than a young adult.

Other people less able to generate antibodies are those who suffer from cancer, chronic renal failure, COPD, heart disease especially coronary artery disease, obesity with a body mass index greater than 40 kg / m2 and diabetes. type 2, Marino continues.

How long do the antibodies last?

“We know that the Covid-19 infection leaves a robust immunity that would last, at least 8 months», Comments on Bugle Alejandro Chirino, coordinator of the pulmonary infections section of the Argentine Association of Respiratory Medicine (AAMR).

In this sense, a study published in the journal Science – based on analysis of blood samples from 188 people – concluded that responses to the novel coronavirus from all major players in the ‘adaptive’ immune system can last at least up to eight months after infection.

What antibodies do vaccines generate?

Dr Marino explains that all vaccines generate antibodies. “The question would be whether they are all equally neutralizing or effective. And we must expect that the different vaccines induce not only different levels of antibodies, but also antibodies with different neutralizing power, ”he emphasizes.

“It can happen that a vaccine induces a lower titer of antibodies but that these have a greater capacity of neutralization than one which induces large quantities, but not as effective. In any case, it is more important to know the effectiveness on T lymphocytes ”, adds Marino.

To assess it, the governments of the Nation and the Province will carry out a antibody study with volunteers vaccinated against Covid-19. It will be carried out in seven public hospitals, with the aim of measuring the response to vaccines and the ability to neutralize the virus.

What antibodies are left in a person who has already fallen ill with Covid-19?

When a person gets over the infection, your immune system has generated antibodiesProteins capable of protecting against a possible new attack of the virus, immunizing the body against infection.

As reported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, the generation of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 happens quickly and within two weeks, most patients generated IgG immunoglobulins, one of the types of antibodies with neutralizing activity against the virus.

“The degree of protection conferred by these antibodies is not yet known, but its appearance is linked to the control of the viral load in many patients, but not in all”, adds the official Spanish website.

Could Covid-19 have been adopted and not have antibodies?

“It is possible to have passed the Covid-19 and do not have antibodies“Biologist Nuria Izquierdo-Useros of the IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute told the newspaper The country.

“We don’t know the exact percentage of people who may be in this situation. But yes that It could happen, because antibodies are only one of the means used by the immune system to fight infections, but there are other ways to do it, ”concluded the specialist.