People who have survived modern coronavirus infection have a protective memory to protect against relapse for at least eight months, according to a new study that provides strong evidence for the likelihood that Covid- 19 working for long hours.
While earlier studies have shown that antibodies against coronavirus are lacking after the first few months of disease, raising concerns that people may quickly lose immunity, the new research, published in the journal Science Immunology, allaying these concerns.
According to the scientists, including those from Monash University in Australia, there are specific cells within the immune system called B memory cells, “remembering” infection with the virus, and if re-exposed to the virus, stimulates an immune response through the rapid production of immune antibodies.
In the study, the researchers recruited a group of 25 Covid-19 patients and took 36 blood samples from Day 4 after infection to Day 242 after infection.
The scientists found that antibodies against the virus began to fall behind 20 days after infection.
However, they said that all patients had B-memory cells that identified one of two components of the virus – the spike protein that helps the virus enter host cells, and the nucleocapsid proteins.
Based on their analysis, the researchers reported that virus-specific B memory cells were persistently present as long as eight months after infection.
The scientists believe the findings give hope for the effectiveness of any vaccine against the virus, and also explain why there are very few examples of a true reversal of it. among millions of people who have tested positive for the virus worldwide.
“These results are important because they show, conclusively, that patients with Covid-19 virus infection actually maintain immunity against the virus and the disease,” said study co-author Menno van Zelm, from Monash University Department of Psychology and Pathology.
“This is a black cloud that hangs over the protection that can be provided by any Covid-19 vaccine and gives real hope, once vaccinated or vaccinated. developed, provide long-term protection, ”said van Zelm.
(This story was published from a wire group group without altering the text.)
Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter