No antibodies in few co-morbid people

In severe cases, low immunity compromises creation of antibody

Covid-19 antibodies are not seen in a section of the people suffering from thyroid, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases as also cancer and HIV-AIDS patients due to their weak immune system.

Experts say different kinds of antibodies are generated and what is counted in the case of Covid-19 is the spike in the antibodies. “We are seeing many patients whose test results for antibody testing are showing insufficient or minimum antibodies, and are thus giving them a negative report after recovery.”

Those who have taken both doses of vaccine are also not showing antibodies as there is not sufficient production of these by the human cells.

The case of 50-year-old thyroid patient Sameera Ahmed is cited. She got infected with Covid-19 twice but had no antibodies created in her body. When she checked with doctors, they said such a trend has been noted in a few cases. The thyroid condition of the patient could be a reason for minimum antibodies in the body.

Dr Shyam Kalavalapalli, senior endocrinologist, explains: “The second layer of B cells produces antibodies. In some patients, it is found that the first layer of T cells in the human body fights the virus. Due to this, antibodies are not produced. This has been noted in mild and asymptomatic cases.”

In severe cases, the theory is that antibody creation is not there as the immunity of the body is compromised. Since this is an emerging virus and there are different variants, multiple studies have been carried out to understand this phenomenon. “Irrespective of antibody creations it is important to understand that vaccines do grant protection and testing for antibodies is not recommended.”

But there have been cases wherein patients who were given both doses of the vaccine too suffered from Covid19 and died. This has raised issues of whether the vaccine is providing sufficient protection in terms of antibodies.

A doctor explained: “Vaccine is found to reduce the severity of the disease in the general population. There will be some cases where the disease is severe due to the other co-morbid conditions. Vaccine grants

70 per cent protection and not 100 per cent. For this reason, continuation of the safety protocols by the vaccinated people is a must.”

Antibody test is not being recommended as people are panicking after they find that their body does not have built antibodies against the virus. Healthcare workers, doctors and those from the pharmaceutical sector checked regularly on their antibodies. This practice had been followed in the first wave term too, and it was then that the discrepancies came to light. Patients who did not have antibody creation after recovery panicked and it led to anxiety.

These, according to sources, have led the government to not recommend antibody testing until and unless it’s an urgent requirement. This is to control the panic and anxiety problems which could lead to other mental health problems too.