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Adam Kucharski, MMath, PhD
There are several studies that are useful indicators of the possible role of pre-existing immunity (such as antibodies/T cells) in SARS-CoV-2 dynamics.
Below are my thoughts on the subject and some useful links.
First, there were some very clear outbreaks, with a very large proportion of people showing detectable infections (either positive PCR or detectable antibody levels). there were 103 out of 117 fishing boats, 11 of 13 People attending the same meeting, And 7 out of 8 and then 8 out of 8 I had a meal together..
This is because a large percentage of the adult population Can not You will get infected if you are exposed to this new coronavirus. This conclusion is consistent with other data health care worker And nursing home..
Infections appear to be detected if they are well exposed and appear to be stiff enough.
But just because the vast majority of people are vulnerable to infection Absent It means that there is no immunity. In a study of developing individuals on a fishing vessel previously mentioned, a small number (3 of 120) probably had neutralizing antibodies from an early SARS-CoV-2 infection. They were never infected again.
Then there are children. There is evidence That they may be less susceptible to infections. I also have some young children who have not been previously exposed to SARS-CoV-2 Cross-reactive antibodyMay help explain risk reduction
Infection immunity vs disease immunity
So far we have talked about immunity to infection. But there is also the issue of protection against illness. Apparently, some people have less severe symptoms. This suggests a role of immunity in the disease.
There is some evidence Existing T cell reaction In individuals who are not infected with SARS-CoV-2. For those infected with SARS-CoV-2, the T cell response is Stick to After infection.
This is good news. Consistent There is a circulating, “common cold” coronavirus that can reinfect people, but when reinfected the symptoms subside.
It is important to note that protection from infection influences epidemic dynamics More More than protection from illness. The important thing in a flock’s immunology is not whether people get infected, but whether they get infected (the two may be related). So immunity to disease does not always stop the epidemic.
It’s also worth remembering that the existing immunity to infections (for example, between children) is already “priced” in copy numbers. The rapid and rapid growth of the pandemic would have been despite the existing immunity. Therefore, care must be taken in interpreting how immunity affects dynamics.
Obviously still Need to learn more About SARS-CoV-2 resistance. I would like to hear about other new research that sheds light on this issue (or whether immunologists want to flag what I missed).
If you are particularly interested in this issue, Primer Published in Atlantic Written by Ed YongBeing a science writer, why these immunology questions are important, and very challenging.
Adam Kucharski As an epidemiologist, research focuses on the dynamics of infectious diseases. This includes how social behavior and immunity shape the transmission of the disease, and how knowledge of such processes enhances control. Follow him twitter
