While most people have been affected by Covid-19 infections, some have naturally resisted the infectious disease, despite clearly being exposed to the virus. According to researchers at the University College London, understanding this resistance mechanism can lead to the development of universal vaccines against the debilitating virus, said the study published in the journal Nature.
The team closely monitored hospital staff during the first wave of the pandemic—including by taking regular blood samples.
The results showed one in ten had signs of being exposed but never had symptoms, never tested positive, and never developed C-fighting antibodies in their blood.
This Covid-immunity likely came from the body learning how to fight viruses. The team said that part of their immune system was able to get on top of the virus before it managed to take hold of—what’s known as an “abortive infection.”
Blood samples showed these people already had (as in before the pandemic) protective T-cells, which recognise and kill cells infected with Covid.