Although serological studies have shown that antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 play an important role in protection against (re)infection, the dynamics of mucosal antibodies during primary infection and their potential impact on viral load and the resolution of disease symptoms remain unclear. During the first pandemic wave, we assessed the longitudinal nasal antibody response in index cases with mild COVID-19 and their household contacts. Nasal and serum antibody responses were analysed for up to nine months. Higher nasal receptor binding domain and spike protein-specific antibody levels at study inclusion were associated with lower viral load. Older age was correlated with more frequent COVID-19 related symptoms. Receptor binding domain and spike protein-specific mucosal antibodies were associated with the resolution of systemic, but not respiratory symptoms. Finally, receptor binding domain and spike protein-specific mucosal antibodies remained elevated up to nine months after symptom onset.

尽管血清学研究表明，针对 SARS-CoV-2 的抗体在防止（再）感染方面发挥着重要作用，但初次感染期间粘膜抗体的动态及其对病毒载量和疾病症状解决的潜在影响仍不清楚。在第一波大流行期间，我们评估了轻度 COVID-19 及其家庭接触者的纵向鼻腔抗体反应。分析了长达九个月的鼻腔和血清抗体反应。纳入研究时较高的鼻受体结合域和刺突蛋白特异性抗体水平与较低的病毒载量相关。年龄较大与更频繁的 COVID-19 相关症状相关。受体结合域和刺突蛋白特异性黏膜抗体与全身、但不是呼吸道症状。最后，受体结合域和刺突蛋白特异性黏膜抗体在症状出现后 9 个月内仍保持升高。