SERUM IGM AND IGG TITERS 2 WEEKS AND 8 WEEKS FROM BEGINNING OF SYMPTOMS AND THEIR RELATION TO SEVERITY IN COVID-19

Volume 13 , Issue 3 , March 2025 , Pages 275-281

Authors

Sabir Mohamed Amin 1 ; Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Shaikhani 2 ; Rebwar Faraj Abdulrahman 3

1 College of Medicine, University of Sulaiman, Kurdistan Region, Iraq .

2 College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

3 Arab Board Medical Student, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

DOI logo 10.17656/jsmc.10421

Keywords

Abstract

Background
COVID-19 pandemic, which started in late December 2019, has resulted in a significant number of morbidity
and mortality worldwide. Estimating serum antibody titers of both IgM & IgG against the coronavirus in
patients plays a crucial role in diagnosis and assessing the severity of the infection.
Objectives
Our objective is to assess IgM and IgG levels at 2 and 8 weeks from the onset of COVID-19 symptoms and
examine their relationship with disease severity and mortality. Additionally, we aim to determine how these
antibody levels relate to patient age, BMI, gender, and any chronic illnesses they may have.
Patients and Methods
This prospective study was conducted at Dr. Hemn Teaching Hospital in Sulaymaniyah, from December 4th,
2021 to March 5th, 2022. It included 33 males and 28 females, aged between 17 and 92 years, all of whom were
confirmed to have COVID-19 by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction and/or High-resolution
computed tomography. Blood samples were taken 2 and 8 weeks from starting symptoms and processed by
ELISA to detect IgM and IgG titers.
Results
Male patients accounted for 54.1%, and 63.93% were between 30-70 years of age, with 90.16% residing in
the city center. The majority were non-smokers (68.85%), and 86.89% did not consume alcohol. In terms of
infection severity, 22.95% had mild cases, 40.98% were moderate and 36.07% were severe-critical infections.
We observed that higher antibody titers in the early phase were associated with increasing severity and
mortality. A higher body mass index was identified as a risk factor for elevated antibody production while
hypertension and diabetes were not.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that higher levels of IgM and IgG antibodies during the early phase of COVID-19 are
associated with increased disease severity and, consequently, higher mortality rates. Furthermore, a higher
BMI was found to be a risk factor for elevated antibody production. After 8 weeks from symptoms, IgG levels
remained elevated, while IgM levels declined sharply.

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  • Published at7 March 2025

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