Researchers Identify New Antibodies That Neutralize Coronavirus

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The progress of science in the fight against the novel coronavirus has been occurring day after day since the start of 2020.

Human and even Llama antibodies have already been identified that can be effective, at least in laboratory tests. Now, researchers at Columbia University in the United States have uncovered new antibodies that can neutralize the novel coronavirus.

In the research, which had its findings published in Nature magazine, scientists describe that they removed 61 antibodies for the novel coronavirus from five patients who were infected and had recovered.

The neutralization of the Sars-CoV-2 virus was considered powerful in 19 of the 61 samples, while nine were found to be refined.

The researchers claim that they have a more potent and diverse set of antibodies than those identified in earlier studies.

The findings allow scientists to progress in knowledge and understanding about the novel coronavirus infection in humans. However, the study of antibodies already produced is different from the effort to develop vaccines, since the purpose of a vaccine is to encourage the body to produce antibodies against the virus on its own.

The World Health Organization’s most recent report states that there are 166 vaccines under development worldwide. Among them, 24 are in their testing stage and five are currently in Stage 3, one of the most advanced.

How long does the immunity to the coronavirus last?

A study released this month by King’s College, London, reported that antibody levels against the coronavirus peaked three weeks after symptoms began. However, the antibody count drops rapidly in the following weeks.

Another study, based on a similar virus by researchers in Singapore, reported that protection against the virus can be “recalled” for years by the human body. One type of immune system cells, the T cells, are still active against the SARS virus (also from the coronavirus family) 17 years after infection.

Despite the progress in research, the lifespan of immunity against the novel coronavirus remains a mystery and only further studies on the subject can uncover how long the human body may be protected from new infections.

Source: Exame