Similar Antibody Responses Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Individuals Living Without and with Human Immunodeficiency Virus on Antiretroviral Therapy during the First South African Infection Wave

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  • Jumari Snyman
  • Shi Hsia Hwa
  • Robert Krause
  • Daniel Muema
  • Tarylee Reddy
  • Yashica Ganga
  • Farina Karim
  • Alasdair Leslie
  • Alex Sigal
  • Thumbi Ndung'U
  • Moherndran Archary
  • Kaylesh J. Dullabh
  • Philip Goulder
  • Guy Harling
  • Rohen Harrichandparsad
  • Kobus Herbst
  • Prakash Jeena
  • Thandeka Khoza
  • Nigel Klein
  • Rajhmun Madansein
  • Mohlopheni Marakalala
  • Matilda Mazibuko
  • Mosa Moshabela
  • Ntombifuthi Mthabela
  • Kogie Naidoo
  • Zaza Ndhlovu
  • Kennedy Nyamande
  • Nesri Padayatchi
  • Vinod Patel
  • Theresa Smit
  • Adrie Steyn
  • Emily Wong

Background: There is limited understanding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogenesis in African populations with a high burden of infectious disease comorbidities such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The kinetics, magnitude, and duration of virus-specific antibodies and B-cell responses in people living with HIV (PLWH) in sub-Saharan Africa have not been fully characterized. Methods: We longitudinally followed SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and characterized SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) M, IgG, and IgA weekly for 1 month and at 3 months post-diagnosis. Thirty of 72 (41.7%) were PLWH, 25/30 (83%) of whom were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) with full HIV suppression. Plasma neutralization was determined using a live virus neutralization assay, and antibody-secreting cell population frequencies were determined by flow cytometry. Results: Similar seroconversion rates, time to peak antibody titer, peak magnitude, and durability of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM, IgG, and IgA were observed in people not living with HIV and PLWH with complete HIV suppression on ART. In addition, similar potency in a live virus neutralization assay was observed in both groups. Loss of IgA was significantly associated with age (P =. 023) and a previous diagnosis of tuberculosis (P=.018). Conclusions: Similar antibody responses and neutralization potency in people not living with HIV and PLWH on stable ART in an African setting suggest that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) natural infections may confer comparable antibody immunity in these groups. This provides hope that COVID-19 vaccines will be effective in PLWH on stable ART.

Original languageEnglish
JournalClinical Infectious Diseases
Volume75
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)E249-E256
ISSN1058-4838
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

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© 2021 The Author(s).

    Research areas

  • antibodies, neutralization, SARS-CoV-2, South Africa

ID: 333620251