Nucleocapsid Antibodies Appear to Be Long-Lasting After SARS-CoV-2 Infection

In a prospective, longitudinal study, N-antibodies peaked 90–100 days after infection and persisted for at least 500 days in most patients.

The duration of antibody response after SARS-CoV-2 infection is not clearly established, although prior studies have estimated that antibodies produced after natural infection last from 3 to 6 months. In the Texas Coronavirus Antibody Response Survey (Texas CARES), a prospective convenience sample was obtained from 4558 adults with diagnoses of COVID-19 from October 2020 through August 2021 who were tested at least once for nucleocapsid (N) antibodies using an assay that combined IgG, IgM, and IgA.

N-antibody test positivity peaked at 90–100 days after infection and declined slowly thereafter, such that only 7.4% of the sample was negative by 401–500 days after infection. Those aged ≥65 had longer duration of N-antibody responses than other …

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

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Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Nucleocapsid Antibodies Appear to Be Long-Lasting After SARS-CoV-2 Infection

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Reviewing Author