, Swedish researchers found that people can develop long-term Covid-19 immunity after infection as T-lymphocytes (T-cells) may have the ability to recognize the virus.
studies
found that coronavirus antibodies can fade after approximately
three months
. However, some of these studies discounted the role of white blood cells, or B cells.
Memory T-cells form part of the immune system that responds to a foreign invader and informs B cells about how to craft new virus-targeting antibodies.
Cell
, revealed that SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells will likely prove critical for long-term immune protection against Covid-19.
Covid-19 positive blood samples from 206 people in Sweden were examined and the authors found that regardless of whether a person was asymptomatic or had recovered from a mild or severe case, they still developed a robust T cell response.
SEE ALSO: IF ANTIBODIES FALL SHORT, T-CELLS MAY HELP COVID-19 IMMUNITY
According to the authors, "memory T cells will likely prove critical for long-term immune protection against Covid-19 and may prevent recurrent episodes of severe Covid-19".
At present, there is no vaccine against Covid-19, however, researchers of another
study
published in Nature said these T-cells may help in the development of a vaccine.
While these latest findings about T cells and Coronavirus immunity may prove useful in the fight against Covid-19, it remains unclear how long people who recover from the virus will be protected from future infection.
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