DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2023.v11i08.021

Pages: 1500-1505

Background: There are recent advances in the management of COVID19 infection, but there is still a need to develop methods of predicting the course of the illness which are reliable yet easy to perform. Determining the rate and timing of detection of total SARSCoV2 anti-nucleocapsid antibodies may help to predict the course of illness in COVID19. Methodology: Patients with COVID19 infection admitted at Ramaiah medical college hospital were categorized based on clinical severity into asymptomatic, mild-moderate and severe/critical illness. Their blood samples were collected at three different time intervals with respect to onset of clinical symptoms to test for the presence of total Anti SARSCoV2 N antigen antibodies (IgG and IgM) and the rate of seroconversion. Results: The findings of this prospective study on the antibody response to COVID19 infection failed to demonstrate a significant difference with respect to anti-nucleocapsid antibody titers among those with mild and severe categories of infection. However based on the results of the present study, it appears that the virus is able to suppress the generation of antibodies and in the process, escape the clutches of the host immune system. Conclusion: The progression or recovery from COVID19 disease can be possibly determined by the rate of seroconversion of total COVID19 anti-nucleocapsid antibodies.