COVID-19 Antibodies Remain at Least 10 Months After Infection

Nearly 87% of naturally infected COVID-19 patients maintained antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus proteins for at least 10 months, according to an extensive Labcorp analysis of specimens announced on May 24, 2021.

The study was published in The Lancet - EClinicalMedicine offers real-world evidence of the body’s response to the virus and the possibility of protection against future infection.

“Our observational analysis provides an encouraging timeline for antibody development and sustainability among the U.S. population,” commented David Alfego, Ph.D., Labcorp senior data scientist, and the paper’s lead author.

“We sincerely hope it sparks more research, helps unearth answers to complex questions, and informs critical post-pandemic planning.”

Alfego and a team of Labcorp scientists analyzed results from 39,086 individual tests to detect antibodies that guard against “spike” and nucleocapsid proteins on the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Their analysis included specimens collected tested between March 2020 and January 2021.

By employing various techniques, Labcorp scientists were able to map rates of antibody positivity and the correlation of a person’s age and sex on antibody status.

With over 70,000 employees, we serve clients in more than 100 countries, North Carolina-based Labcorp is a leading global life sciences company that provides vital information to help doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and patients make clear and confident decisions.