New studies of recovering Covid-19-patients dampen the hope for a long-lasting immunity, and thus a long effectiveness of a possible vaccine.
Blood tests of the first Corona-patients in Germany were treated at the end of January in Munich, clinic Schwabing, showed a significant decrease in the number of so-called neutralizing antibodies in the blood, reported Clemens Wendtner, chief doctor of the local clinic for infectious diseases.
“In four of the nine patients, we see a decline in neutralizing antibodies in a very special Test that can only be done in a high-security laboratory,” said Wendtner.
“The extent of this impact for the long-term immunity and vaccination strategies, is currently speculative, but it has to be observed critically.”
It indicates, however, that after made disease a Neuansteckung with the Coronavirus was possible.
This needs to be monitored, said Wendtner. For the long-term immunity-associated antibodies measured immunity is in addition to the so-called B-cell also called T-cell immunity is relevant.
If patients lose neutralizing antibodies, could provide this immunity, and may be a protection. T-lymphocytes are able to kill virus-infected cells in a targeted manner, if you have studied your opponents even know.
Studies dampen the hope for a vaccine
Wendtners insights in the experiences of other scientists and results of the study.
Chinese researchers reported in the journal ‘Nature Medicine’ that the anti-body after two months, especially in patients with symptom went free of course strong, but also in actually ill patients, the values were significantly.
Patients with little symptoms had also developed fewer antibodies and, therefore, a weaker immune response.
Source
- Long, Q. et al. (2020): Clinical and immunological assessment of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections, archived from the original on 12.07.2020: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0965-6
Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa)
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