Early Immune Response May Protect Against COVID-19 Infection
Author Information
Author(s): Fenn Joe, Madon Kieran, Conibear Emily, Derelle Romain, Nevin Sean, Kundu Rhia, Hakki Seran, Tregoning John S., Koycheva Aleksandra, Derqui Nieves, Tolosa-Wright Mica, Jonnerby Jakob, Wang Lulu, Baldwin Samuel, Pillay Timesh D., Thwaites Ryan S., Luca Constanta, Varro Robert, Badhan Anjna, Parker Eleanor, Rosadas Carolina, McClure Myra, Tedder Richard, Taylor Graham, Lalvani Ajit
Primary Institution: NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Respiratory Infections, Imperial College London, London, UK
Hypothesis
Early innate immune responses associate with resistance to detectable infection in close contacts of COVID-19 cases.
Conclusion
An interferon-associated gene signature was identified that correlates with protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection in some individuals despite high exposure.
Supporting Evidence
- 24 out of 48 contacts became PCR-positive, while 24 remained PCR-negative.
- A 96-gene transcriptomic signature was identified in PCR-positive contacts.
- 6 out of 24 persistently PCR-negative contacts exhibited elevated signature expression.
- Signature expression correlated positively with viral load.
- Validation of the signature was performed in two independent cohorts.
- Early upregulation of signature genes occurred in PCR-negative volunteers within 6 hours post-inoculation.
Takeaway
Some people can fight off COVID-19 without getting sick, and scientists found a special gene pattern in their blood that helps them do this.
Methodology
Blood and swab samples were collected from household contacts of COVID-19 cases to analyze immune responses and infection status.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to self-reported demographics and the observational nature of the study.
Limitations
The study relied on peripheral blood samples, which may not fully represent local immune responses in the respiratory tract.
Participant Demographics
{"sex":{"female":24,"male":24},"age":{"<18":6,"18-39":17,"40-59":21,"≥60":4},"ethnicity":{"white":41,"non-white":5}}
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0155
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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