Co-Existence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies with IgG Antibodies of Other Respiratory Viruses: A Possible Risk for Appropriate Adaptive Immune Response

Abstract

Respiratory viral infections are a major cause of public health concern worldwide. With the appearance of COVID-19 in 2019, the whole world has experienced severe and long-term complications associated with these infections. These respiratory viruses, their types and sub types are prevalent throughout the year and at varied seasons, and our body continues to fight against these pathogens through innate and adaptive immune responses. Facing multiple viral pathogens with a varied constitution of antigenic epitopes, the infected person generates a number of cytokines and also different paratopic induced antibodies, creating an immunological chaos. To understand this, the present study was undertaken. The antibodies against five major respiratory viruses, commonly reported in India, were targeted viz; SARS-CoV-2, rhinovirus, influenza virus, parainfluenza, and respiratory syncytial virus. An ELISA assay for the detection of all these viruses was made. It was observed that in most cases, there was a presence of antibodies against respiratory viruses (more than 3 respiratory viruses). When the overall status was checked, it was observed that the presence of IgG for Parainfluenza A virus was present in maximum study subjects (92.30 to 100%), along with IgG for SARS-CoV-2 (50–76.92%). We may thus assume that co-infection by multiple viruses may trigger the risk of multiple antibodies and an immunological chaos. Comorbidities that exist in the patients can also enhance the additional stress on the immune cells, with a possibility of B-cells losing their specificity to generate epitope specific antibodies.

Keywords

SARS-CoV-2 / Respiratory virus / IgG / B cell / COVID-19

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