Antibodies are not alone responsible for a functioning immune response

Several studies have already shown that some people who have recovered from Covid-19 only have antibodies against Sars-CoV-2 for a short time. "The extent to which this has an impact on long-term immunity and vaccination strategies is currently still speculative, but must be viewed critically in the further course," said Clemens Wendtner, chief physician of the Infectious Diseases Clinic at Munich Klinik Schwabing, after a German study on similar results came.

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The first German corona patients were examined there. A few months after recovery, four out of nine patients examined showed a declining number of neutralizing antibodies. Wendtner admitted that these results could indicate that a new infection is possible after the illness.

But that has to be observed further. In addition to the so-called B-cell-associated immunity measured by antibodies, the so-called T-cell immunity is also relevant for long-term immunity. If patients lose neutralizing antibodies, this immunity may provide alternative protection. T-lymphocytes can kill virus-infected cells in a targeted manner once they have met their opponent beforehand.