HUBBALLI: Many symptomatic patients, who recovered from
Covid-19 infection
, did not develop
antibodies
even 60 days later, doctors at
Karnataka Institute of Medical Science (
KIMS
),
Hubballi
have observed.
Doctors say they discovered this when recovered patients — many of them PG students working in KIMS — turned up to donate plasma. While conducting the IgG test, they noticed the lack of antibodies. IgG antibody is a protein the body produces in the latter stages of infection and may remain for some time after a person has recovered.
Officials at KIMS said 107 people have donated blood samples for IgG test, which is mandatory to donate plasma. Of these, only 56 were reactive – or they had developed antibodies. The remaining donors were turned away because of the lack of antibodies.
Dr Ram Kaulgud, associate professor, KIMS, said even people who have recovered from Covid-19 should remain vigilant.
“We noticed that in many people who had recovered, antibodies which protect one from reinfection were absent. This means recovered patients could catch the infection again and should not let their guard down. They should wear a mask, maintain hand hygiene and follow social distancing. Generally, everyone should stay vigilant till a
vaccine
is found. They should not feel that
Covid cases
are dropping and the disease is vanishing. We could witness a second wave at any time.”
Kaulgud said some people who have recovered from Covid and who have high titration for antibodies, have caught a second infection, which is worrying.
Dr Ramlingappa, KIMS director, said he is aware recovered patients have not developed antibodies, but could not give an exact figure on the number of people who did not develop antibodies. “But taking precaution is always good,” he said.