Influencing factors of Anti-SARS-CoV-2-Spike IgG antibody titres in healthcare workers – A cross-section study

  1. Julia Reusch
  2. Isabell Wagenhäuser
  3. Alexander Gabel
  4. Annika Eggestein
  5. Anna Höhn
  6. Thiên-Trí Lâm
  7. Anna Frey
  8. Alexandra Schubert-Unkmeir
  9. Lars Dölken
  10. Stefan Frantz
  11. Oliver Kurzai
  12. Ulrich Vogel
  13. Manuel Krone
  14. Nils Petri
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Abstract

Background

Against the background of the current COVID-19 infection dynamics with the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC), above all the Omicron VOC, the immunity of healthcare workers (HCWs) against SARS-CoV-2 continues to be of high importance. Vaccination plays a central role in reducing the severity and potentially the spread of the disease. In healthcare, this is important to prevent disease-related staff shortages. However, there is a lack of data on factors influencing the humoral immune response.

Aim

The aim of our study was to determine factors influencing the level of Anti-SARS-CoV-2-Spike IgG after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination in healthcare workers.

Methods

1,750 study participants were recruited who met the following inclusion criteria: age ≥ 18 years, PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination, working in health care. Anti-SARS-CoV-2-Spike IgG titres were determined by SERION ELISA agile SARS-CoV-2 IgG.

Results

Mean Anti-SARS-CoV-2-Spike IgG levels increased significantly with the number of COVID-19 vaccinations (92.2 BAU/ml for single dose, 140.9 BAU/ml for two doses and 1,144.3 BAU/ml after threefold vaccination). Hybrid COVID-19 immunized respondents (after infection and vaccination) had significantly higher antibody titres compared with participants after infection only (525.4 BAU/ml vs. 105.7 BAU/ml). Anti-SARS-CoV-2-Spike IgG titres declined significantly with time after administration of the second vaccine dose. Smoking and high age were associated with lower titres.

Conclusion

Both recovered and vaccinated HCWs presented a predominantly good humoral immune response with decreasing antibody levels over the temporal course. Smoking and higher age limited the humoral SARS-CoV-2 immunity. This reduced immune response is an important aspect as people with these risk factors are recognized as people with an increased risk for a severe course of disease.

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