A longitudinal study of convalescent plasma (CCP) donors and correlation of ABO group, initial neutralizing antibodies (nAb), and body mass index (BMI) with nAb and anti-nucleocapsid (NP) SARS-CoV-2 antibody kinetics: Proposals for better quality of CCP collections

Author(s):Show less -

Wendel, Silvano ^[1] ; Fontao-Wendel, Rita ^[1] ; Fachini, Roberta ^[1] ; Candelaria, Gabriela ^[1] ; Scuracchio, Patricia ^[1] ; Achkar, Ruth ^[1] ; Brito, Mayra ^[1] ; Reis, Luiz Fernando ^[2] ; Camargo, Anamaria ^[2] ; Amano, Mariane ^[2] ; Machado, Rafael ^[3] ; Araujo, Danielle ^{[3, 4]} ; Soares, Camila ^[3] ; Durigon, Edison ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Hosp Sirio Libanes, Blood Bank, Rua Adma Jafet 91, BR-01308050 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Hosp Sirio Libanes, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencias Biomed, Dept Microbiol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Hosp Israelita Albert Einstein, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Transfusion; v. 61, n. 5 FEB 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 4

Abstract

Introduction Little is known about the neutralizing (nAb) and binding antibody kinetics in COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors, especially during the first 100 days after disease onset. Materials and Methods A cohort of previously RT-PCR positive (detected by nasopharyngeal swab during the acute phase), male convalescent patients, all with mild symptoms, were enrolled in serial blood sample collection for a longitudinal nAb titers and anti-nucleocapsid (NP) antibodies (IgM, IgG and IgA) evaluation. NAbs were detected by a cytopathic effect-based virus neutralization test (CPE-based VNT), carried out with SARS-CoV-2 (GenBank: MT350282). Results A total of 78 male volunteers provided 316 samples, spanning a total of 4820 days of study. Although only 25% of donors kept nAb titers >= 160 within 100 days after the onset of disease, there was >75% probability of sustaining nAb titers >= 160 in volunteers whose initial nAb titer was >= 1280, weight >= 90 kg or obese, according to their body mass index (BMI), as evidenced by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox hazard regression (all p < .02). There was no correlation between the ABO group, ABO antibody titers and persistent high nAb titers. High IgG anti-NP (S/CO >= 5.0) is a good surrogate for detecting nAb >= 160, defined by the ROC curve (sensitivity = 90.5%; CI95%: 84.5%-94.7%). Conclusion Selection of CCP donors for multiple collections based on initial high nAb titers (>= 1280) or BMI >= 30 kg/m(2) provides a simple strategy to achieve higher quality in CCP programs. High IgG anti-NP levels can also be used as surrogate markers for high nAb screening. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/23680-0 - Standardization of Sherlock technique (Specific High-Sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter Unlocking) using the Cas13a protein for the diagnosis of respiratory syncytial virus in pediatric patients
• Grantee: Camila Pereira Soares
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 17/24769-2 - Zika virus in postpartum women and newborns: seroepidemiology and molecular characterization
• Grantee: Rafael Rahal Guaragna Machado
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 16/20045-7 - Antigen discovery and development of serological diagnostic methods and vaccine approaches against the Zika Virus (ZIKV)
• Grantee: Luis Carlos de Souza Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/06409-1 - Evaluation of humoral immune response and inflammatory response in patients with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 at Hospital Sírio Libanês and correlation with disease severity
• Grantee: Edison Luiz Durigon
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants