Most People Are Naturally Armed Against COVID-19, Study Finds

Jerusalem: The majority of the people can produce neutralising antibodies against the novel coronavirus in severe cases of COVID-19, according to a study that supports the use of combination antibody therapy to prevent and treat the disease. The researchers noted that neutralising antibodies that specifically target the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein — which the virus uses to enter human cells — are thought to be essential for controlling it.

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RBD-specific neutralising antibodies have been detected in convalescent patients — those who have recovered from COVID-19, according to the team, including researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel. Some of the recoveries tend to have robust and long-lasting immunity, while others display a waning of their neutralising antibodies, they said.

The study, published in the journal PLOS Pathogens, used molecular and bioinformatics techniques to compare B-cell responses in eight patients with severe COVID-19 and 10 individuals with mild symptoms, 1.5 months after infection. B cells of immune sysytem are responsible for mediating the production of antigen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) directed against invasive pathogens.

The research found that very ill patients showed higher concentrations of RBD-specific antibodies and increased B-cell expansion. Among 22 antibodies cloned from two of these patients, six exhibited potent neutralisation against SARS-CoV-2, the researchers said.

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Bioinformatics analysis suggests that most people would be capable of readily producing neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in severe cases of COVID-19, they noted.

Moreover, the study shows that combinations of different types of neutralising antibodies completely blocked the live virus from spreading. According to the researchers, these antibody cocktails can be further tested in clinical settings as a useful means to prevent and treat COVID-19.

Even with a vaccine at our doorstep, arming clinicians with specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics is extremely important. Combinations of neutralising antibodies represent a promising approach towards effective and safe treatment of severe COVID-19 cases, especially in the elderly population or chronically ill people, who will not be able to so easily produce these antibodies upon infection or vaccination, the researchers said.

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(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.