A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Coronavirus spike protein-specific antibodies indicate frequent infections and reinfections in infancy and among BNT162b2-vaccinated healthcare workers
Authors: Kolehmainen Pekka, Huttunen Moona, Iakubovskaia Alina, Maljanen Sari, Tauriainen Sisko, Yatkin Emrah, Pasternack Arja, Naves Rauno, Toivonen Laura, Tähtinen Paula A, Ivaska Lauri, Lempainen Johanna, Peltola Ville, Waris Matti, Kakkola Laura, Ritvos Olli, Julkunen Ilkka
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
Publication year: 2023
Journal: Scientific Reports
Journal name in source: Scientific reports
Journal acronym: Sci Rep
Article number: 8416
Volume: 13
Issue: 1
ISSN: 2045-2322
eISSN: 2045-2322
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35471-3
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35471-3
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/179806570
The prevalence of seasonal human coronavirus (HCoV) infections in early childhood and adults has not been well analyzed in longitudinal serological studies. Here we analyzed the changes in HCoV (229E, HKU1, NL63, OC43, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2) spike-specific antibody levels in follow-up serum specimens of 140 children at the age of 1, 2, and 3 years, and of 113 healthcare workers vaccinated for Covid-19 with BNT162b2-vaccine. IgG antibody levels against six recombinant HCoV spike subunit 1 (S1) proteins were measured by enzyme immunoassay. We show that by the age of three years the cumulative seropositivity for seasonal HCoVs increased to 38-81% depending on virus type. BNT162b2 vaccinations increased anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1 antibodies, but no increase in seasonal coronavirus antibodies associated with vaccinations. In healthcare workers (HCWs), during a 1-year follow-up, diagnostic antibody rises were seen in 5, 4 and 14% of the cases against 229E, NL63 and OC43 viruses, respectively, correlating well with the circulating HCoVs. In 6% of the HCWs, a diagnostic antibody rise was seen against S1 of HKU1, however, these rises coincided with anti-OC43 S1 antibody rises. Rabbit and guinea pig immune sera against HCoV S1 proteins indicated immunological cross-reactivity within alpha-CoV (229E and NL63) and beta-CoV (HKU1 and OC43) genera.
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