Anton V., how does one measure the “intensity” of immunity is dependent on the number of antibodies in the blood, or use some other criteria?
Anton Yershov: Is the concept of “the immunity” or “protective titer”. This is a numeric value with a reference variation. In the evaluation process are examined immunoglobulin M, immunoglobulin G and their avidity, that is the degree of strength of the antibodies with the corresponding antigens.
Also, the “intensity of immunity” depends on how long in the body there are B-memory cells (“naive” lymphocytes). These cells produce immunoglobulins G, which with repeated contact with the viral agent is not allowed to develop the disease.
Why immunity against some infections life (I have been ill with measles do not become infected again), but not others? Whether this is due to the variability of the virus?
Anton Yershov: Yes And no. Immunity is formed against the key elements of the virus that traditionally does not mutate.
the virus has antigens that are either mutated, or not. Antibodies produced to antigens. If antibodies produced to antigens that do not change over time and are contained in the body for a long time, the immunity can be lifelong.
If antibodies are produced against variable antigen or titer of antibody falls sharply, the immune system will operate for a short period of time. So, for example, happens with flu is a seasonal illness and every year or two there is a new strain of influenza virus. So immunity to the flu operates on average six months. That is, when you get sick with flu in one season, next year we can get infected and sick again.
the Problem with the current coronavirus in that it appeared recently and consequently has not been enough time to experience this virus. Due to the fact that this is SARS (a new coronavirus similar to the SARS virus that caused the SARS epidemic in 2002-2003), there is an assumption that immunity to COVID-19 will also be retained for two years. But evidence for conservation no.
does the “number” of the virus, trapped in the body, the severity of the disease? The formation of the immune system on the severity of the disease? That is ill with a severe form COVID-19 will be better protected from re-infection compared to those who were sick with no symptoms or hard? Or the immune system develop into anyway?
Anton Yershov: Now the media is filled with information about re-infections. But we must remember: repeated cases of disease is characteristic of any disease, and coronavirus in this sense not an exception.
Why may not develop should the immune system, providing protection at the old��of reconstruction? The first variant is that a person can very easily ill. He leads a healthy life, eats well, gets enough sleep and stuff. His body, although infection occurred, was not allowing the amount of virus that the body reacted to the infection seriously and has developed antibodies to it. For the body the mild form can go unnoticed.
Even with measles can recover and twice, and thrice. Although it is believed that after the first incident, the body produces a lifelong immunity. But I personally, for example, was sick with measles twice in the course of one year in a very mild form. Antibodies in the body is simply not developed because the risk of infection was minimal.
the Second case is when the immune system is not formed – if the person is too much ill. When extremely heavy for the body will be so stressed out that all of his compensatory forces are to maintain life in the present moment and not on the formation of protection for the future. The body is just not strong enough, namely, proteins for the formation of antibodies.
So what is the optimal case for a strong immune system formation – in the course of the disease is moderate and non-excessive use of medicines. That’s when the body is formed maximum immunity to it.
And who, and many experts in different countries talking about the threat of the second wave of the epidemic. There are already some data on this?
Anton Yershov: If we fail to fall, and that will not suppress the emergence of new cases and the speed of propagation of the coronavirus – the second wave will be. Because this is absolutely a seasonal virus and the fall and winter it will be activated.
What are the prospects for a vaccine? Some say that the anti-coronavirus to create a vaccine impossible, others (including the position of the who) insist that the only way to overcome the epidemic. What is your opinion?
Anton Yershov: Vaccine is created, it is unique. But there are two points.
the First is the timing of its creation. Even if the whole world now will transfer power with any other vaccines in the vaccine for coronavirus, manufacture the required number of doses is 1.5-2 years. That is, it is a long process.
And second, we must not forget that before we can proceed to mass production of a new vaccine, you must complete a very important stage of its testing, which should take also at least two, sometimes 3-4 years. Very few experts are optimistic about the new vaccine. Shortening clinical trials is wrong. We don’t know what the consequences of its use will be in the long term. Maybe it will cause cancer? Can genetic disorders of the fetus? Known cases when insufficient Prov��Rennes medication in the long term caused serious consequences. For example, you can recall the famous story, when America was allowed to apply to pregnant new sleep aid but after a short time in the country has sharply increased the number of children born with serious genetic mutations – two heads, etc.
In the study, which you supervise, invite volunteers. Members – those who have had COVID-19 with a confirmed diagnosis, those with symptoms were, but the test is the presence of the virus is not confirmed, and a third group – those who were not sick with colds lately. They will all donate blood – this, in fact, is their participation in a research project. This participation will give them? If they recognize the results – intended to inform them?
Anton Yershov: All participants in the testing on a voluntary basis and receive personal data – i.e. information about the content and amount of antibodies in their body. And at the end of the study, all they will get access to the results and conclusions made by the expert group.
help “RG”
Now it is assumed that people who recover from coronavirus infection get immune defenses – they can not be afraid of infection, which is particularly important for physicians working in COVID-offices. In addition, survivors are invited to become donor plasma contained antibodies to help cope with the disease critically ill patients (although this method of treatment also remains as a pilot). Scientists, doctors from different countries continue to explore new infection. The results of the Russian study “Dynamics of immunological indices in patients undergoing pneumonia caused by COVID-19” will help to complete the picture of knowledge about the new coronavirus to resist infection. A research project conducted by the laboratory “DNKOM” together with the First MSMU n. a. Sechenov, a number of medical institutions and biotechnology companies.
