Pre-existing cross-reactive antibodies to the SARS CoV-2 spike in sera from subjects in developing countries

National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases

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Abstract

We obtained serum samples from US, Thailand, Uganda, and soon from Brazil, through collaborators under existing IRB approved protocols. In Thailand and Brazil we will have access to samples from all age groups, including children. Samples from Brazil will include from the state of Rio De Janeiro and from Manaus in Amazonia. Each of these countries has experienced the Covid19 pandemic in a different way. The two waves of viral replication in Brazil, in which different variants were involved, provide us the opportunity to examine the potential of pre-existing antibodies to promote the emergence of a new variant. By evaluating both SARS CoV-2 binding and neutralization of pre- Covid19 sera we should be able to gain insight regarding the potential of pre-existing antibody responses to 1) impact the levels of infection in a given region and 2) impose immune pressure on emerging variants.