Exponential increase in neutralizing and spike specific antibodies following vaccination of COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors

Background: With the recent approval of COVID-19 vaccines, recovered COVID-19 subjects who are vaccinated may be ideal candidates to donate COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP). Case Series: Eleven recovered COVID-19 patients were screened to donate CCP. All had molecularly confirmed COVID-19, and all but one were antibody positive by chemiluminescence immunoassay (DiaSorin) prior to vaccination. All were tested again for antibodies 11-21 days after they were vaccinated (Pfizer/Moderna). All showed dramatic increases (similar to 50-fold) in spike-specific antibody levels and had at least a 20-fold increase in the IC50 neutralizing antibody titer based on plaque reduction neutralization testing (PRNT). The spike-specific antibody levels following vaccination were significantly higher than those seen in any non-vaccinated COVID-19 subjects tested to date at our facility. Conclusion: Spike-specific and neutralizing antibodies demonstrated dramatic increases following a single vaccination after COVID-19 infection, which significantly exceeded values seen with COVID-19 infection alone. Recovered COVID-19 subjects who are vaccinated may make ideal candidates for CCP donation.

Automated summary

After vaccination, recovered COVID-19 patients showed significant increases in spike-specific and neutralizing antibodies, surpassing levels seen in COVID-19 patients who were not vaccinated. Hence, recovered COVID-19 subjects who are vaccinated may be ideal candidates for CCP donation.