Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2-Specific IgM and IgG Antibodies in Serum Samples of Patients with COVID-19

Abstract

Background:

Several lines of evidence have shown high intraindividual and intraindividual variability in serum levels of IgM and IgG antibodies in response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The present study aimed to assess the levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgM and IgG antibodies in serum samples of laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

Methods:

The study included 286 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, with 118 males and 168 females. Serum samples were taken from all subjects at two different time points, including 2 and 4 weeks after the onset of symptoms. Serological levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgM and IgG was assessed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. The Student’s t-test were used to compare the mean levels of SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific IgM and IgG between groups.

Results:

We found that the mean serum levels of SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific IgM and IgG in COVID-19 patients were increased in 4 weeks after symptom onset compared to 2 weeks earlier, but it was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). There was no significant sex-dependent difference in serological levels of SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific IgM and IgG (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that the serum levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgM and IgG did not show significant differences depending on sex. Furthermore, serological levels of SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific IgM and IgG did not significantly differ between 2- and 4-weeks following illness onset.