The duration of the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 is still unclear. In this study we monitored the production and persistence of neutralizing antibodies in 162 COVID-19 patients. Antibodies against the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the viral spike glycoprotein appear within the first three weeks of symptoms onset and correlates with patients survival and viral control.

Neutralizing antibodies titers progressively drop after 5-8 weeks but are still detectable up to 8 months in the majority of recovered patients regardless of disease severity, age or co-morbidities, with IgG to spike antigens providing the best correlate of neutralization.

These results contribute to understand important aspects of SARS-CoV-2 infection with relevant implication for future therapeutic approaches and vaccination.

Dispinseri S, Secchi M, Pirillo MF, Tolazzi M, Borghi M, Brigatti C, De Angelis ML, Baratella M, Bazzigaluppi E, Venturi G, Sironi F, Canitano A, Marzinotto I, Tresoldi C, Ciceri F, Piemonti L, Negri D, Cara A, Lampasona V, Scarlatti G. Nat Commun. 2021 May 11;12(1):2670. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-22958-8