Antibodies vs. T-Cell Immunity
Studies of asymptomatic infected show that T-Cell immune response maybe the best defense against covid-19.
Whereas CDC cautiously say that 40% of infected are asymptomatic, some studies on particular groups point to more than 90% – namely in a Boston homeless shelter, Tyson Foods Warehouse (481 infected) and in Prisons (this last with more than 3,200 infected inmates). Whatever the number, T-Cells seem to play an important role in immunity, longer asting than antibodies.
T cells have received less attention than antibodies, but may be more important to long term immunity from COVID-19. Whereas Antibody immunity may be short lived (months) T-Cell immunity seem to last years, and keep memory from previous common cold infections in many people.
In this instructive video Dr. Seheult from MedCram explains the relationship between antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 and immunity, vaccine efficacy, and spread of COVID-19 has received significant attention.
Dr. Seheult also discusses how previous infections with common coronaviruses may provide some immunity to SARS-CoV-2, and the hypothesis that reducing the inoculum (initial dose) of SARS-CoV-2 might result in less symptom severity.
(This video was recorded August 10, 2020).