London, 23 Nov : .Previous antibodies to harmless coronaviruses could confer immunity against SARS CoV-2, which causes Covid-19 according to a recent study. Study published in Nature Communications showed that Covid-infected individuals had lower amounts of antibodies to coronaviruses which cause common colds than those who were not.
People with antibodies to harmless coronaviruses had fewer chances of being hospitalized after contracting Covid.
aceOur research shows that a stronger antibody response to human Coronaviruses can increase the amount of antibodies against SARS/CoV-2.Alexandra Trkola from the Institute of Medical Virology at University of Zurich (UZH), said that someone with immunity to harmless coronaviruses will be more protected against serious SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Cross-reactivity is another type of immune reaction.It also happens with T-cell reactions, which are the extra line of defense against infection.
The team developed an assay that could detect antibodies against other coronaviruses from 825 serum samples.This was done before Covid became known.
The team also examined 389 blood samples taken from Covid-infected donors.These analyses were combined with computer-based modeling to enable the team to predict the effectiveness of the antibodies in neutralizing and binding to the virus.
After a person has been vaccinated or recovers from an illness, they are fully protected against Covid.When antibody levels are high against the virus, this is when they become completely immune.
These levels fall over time and infection cannot be prevented.However, the immune memory rapidly reactivates your body’s defenses.This includes the production of antibodies and the T-cell defense.
SARS-CoV-2 immune responses that are initiated by memory cells are more efficient than cross-reactive ones.Cross-reactive immune reactions can reduce the severity and lengthen the duration of the disease, even though it isn’t 100%.Trkola stated that vaccination is capable of accomplishing exactly the same thing, but much faster.
However, it is not known if this cross-reactivity works in the other direction.It is still not known if immunity to Covid, which can be achieved by vaccinations, also provides protection against human coronaviruses.
The virologist explained that if SARS-CoV-2 immunity offers protection against infection by other coronaviruses we’d be much closer to attaining comprehensive protection against all coronaviruses including new ones.
Cross-reactive protection does not just rely on antibodies.
It is very possible that T cells are also involved.
rvt/ksk/
#immune #system #SARSCoV #exposure #harmless #coronaviruses
.
