A recent study by researchers at Imperial College London in England shed light on the immunity developed after a cold infection against potential coronavirus contamination. We disentangle the true from the false.
A simple cold to be protected against the Omicron variant? This is in any case what advances a study carried out by researchers from Imperial College London published in Nature Immunology and taken up recently by some of our colleagues.
For the latter, the role of “T lymphocytes” is indeed essential. “We have discovered that high levels of pre-existing T cells, created by the body when infected with other human coronaviruses such as the common cold, can protect against Covid-19 infection”, analyzed the main author of the study in question.
“Our study provides the clearest evidence to date that cold coronavirus-induced T cells play a protective role against SARS-CoV-2 infection“, explained Professor Ajit Lalvani, co-author of the study.
How was the study?
The scientists began their study in September 2020 in the United Kingdom, selecting 52 people living with a person infected with the coronavirus, PCR test in support. Each participant carried out three PCR tests (on day D, D+4 and D+7) in order to detect any form of contamination. A total of 26 tests came back positive, while 26 others were negative.
Blood samples were also taken but at different times (on day D, at D+7 and D+28) in order to determine the levels of T cells in the organism of each person studied. Result: Participants who did not contract the virus had significantly higher T cell levels than the others, reports CNews.
Children all the more concerned
Scientists analyzed the immune responses of 91 children aged 3 to 11 and 154 adults to Covid-19. The researchers found that antibody production and T-cell response were higher in younger people, says The Midi Dispatch.
Why you have to be careful
The precise mechanism underlying this phenomenon is still unclear, details Forbes.
Indeed, Dr. Rhia Kundu has stated that “it is not a form of protection […] on which no one should rely.” According to Dr. Kundu, the best way to protect yourself against Covid-19 “is to be fully vaccinated, including receiving his booster dose.”
Towards new vaccines?
This scientific discovery could perhaps make it possible to develop second-generation vaccines, more resistant to immune-escape variants such as Omicron.
Professor Lavalni is advancing with our colleagues from Forbes that a vaccine eliciting a T cell response could reduce the need for reminders.