It is of paramount importance to evaluate the prevalence of both asymptomatic and symptomatic cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection and their differing antibody response profiles. Here, we performed a pilot study of four serological assays to assess the amounts of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in serum samples obtained from 491 healthy individuals prior to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, 51 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19, 209 suspected cases of COVID-19 with mild symptoms, and 200 healthy blood donors. We used two ELISA assays that recognized the full-length nucleoprotein (N) or trimeric spike (S) protein ectodomain of SARS-CoV2. In addition, we developed the S-Flow assay that recognized the S protein expressed at the cell surface using flow cytometry, and the Luciferase Immunoprecipitation System (LIPS) assay that recognized diverse SARS-CoV-2 antigens including the S1 domain and the C-terminal domain of N by immunoprecipitation. We obtained similar results with the four serological assays. Differences in sensitivity were attributed to the technique and the antigen used. High anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers were associated with neutralization activity, which was assessed using infectious SARS-CoV-2 or lentiviral-S pseudotype virus. In hospitalized patients with COVID-19, seroconversion and virus neutralization occurred between 5 and 14 days after symptom onset, confirming previous studies. Seropositivity was detected in 32% of mildly-symptomatic individuals within 15 days of symptom onset and in 3% of healthy blood donors. The four antibody assays we used enabled a broad evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and antibody profiling in different subpopulations within one region.
Auteur : Grzelak Ludivine, Temmam Sarah, Planchais Cyril, Demeret Caroline, Tondeur Laura, Huon Christèle, Guivel-Benhassine Florence, Staropoli Isabelle, Chazal Maxime, Dufloo Jeremy, Planas Delphine, Buchrieser Julian, Rajah Maaran Michael, Robinot Remy, Porrot Françoise, Albert Mélanie, Chen Kuang-Yu, Crescenzo-Chaigne Bernadette, Donati Flora, Anna François, Souque Philippe, Gransagne Marion, Bellalou Jacques, Nowakowski Mireille, Backovic Marija, Bouadma Lila, Le Fevre Lucie, Le Hingrat Quentin, Descamps Diane, Pourbaix Annabelle, Laouénan Cédric, Ghosn Jade, Yazdanpanah Yazdan, Besombes Camille, Jolly Nathalie, Pellerin-Fernandes Sandrine, Cheny Olivia, Ungeheuer Marie-Noëlle, Mellon Guillaume, Morel Pascal, Rolland Simon, Rey Felix A, Behillil Sylvie, Enouf Vincent, Lemaitre Audrey, Créach Marie-Aude, Petres Stephane, Escriou Nicolas, Charneau Pierre, Fontanet Arnaud, Hoen Bruno, Bruel Timothée, Eloit Marc, Mouquet Hugo, Schwartz Olivier, van der Werf Sylvie
Science Translational Medicine, 2020, vol. 12, n°. 559, p. 1-13
