Day 100 of the pandemic: COVID-19 for antibody geeks

Kathleen Sullivan, MD, PhD is the Chief of Allergy and Immunology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and a member of the IDF Physician Advisory Committee. She put together a video update focused on antibodies. This video sets out to answer three questions:

• Are all antibodies good?
• Why can’t we just make a vaccine - any vaccine - and get going?
• Are antibodies after a vaccine the same as after natural infection?

Types of Antibodies (Most vaccines induce an IgG response)

• IgG (IgG1 IgG2 IgG3 IgG4) neutralization, memory
• IgA mucous membranes
• IgM high avidity, first responder
• IgD mucous membranes, tolerance
• IgE Helminth infections

What do we know about antibodies to SARS CoV2?

• Convalescent plasma seems to work
• Antibodies seem to peak at about 2-3 weeks after infection
• Sicker patients make more antibodies
• Antibodies decline over two years