Loss of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Antibody Functions During the Peak of the COVID-19 Pandemic Mitigation Measures

Studies have linked respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antibody-mediated phagocytosis and complement deposition to severe RSV infection in humans. This study shows waning of these antibody functions in women of childbearing age in 2020-2021 during the implementation of COVID-19 mitigation measures, in absence of RSV circulation. These functions could be explored as correlates of protection against severe RSV disease. The waning of phagocytic and complement-mediated antibody functions associated with protection from severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in humans, in the absence of viral circulation during the peak of implementation of COVID-19 mitigation measures in 2020-2021 indicate that these functions could be explored as correlates of protection against severe RSV disease.