Multiplexed analysis of circulating IgA antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 and common respiratory pathogens in COVID-19 patients

[[abstract]]Previous studies have revealed a diagnostic role of pathogen-specific IgA in respiratory infections. However, co-detection of serum specific IgA for SARS-CoV-2 and common respiratory pathogens remains largely unexplored. This study utilizes a protein microarray technology for simultaneous and quantitative measurements of specific IgAs for 8 different respiratory pathogens including adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus type A, influenza virus type B, parainfluenza virus, mycoplasma pneumoniae, chlamydia pneumoniae and SARS-CoV-2 in serum sample of COVID-19 patients. A total of 42 COVID-19 patients were included and categorized into severe cases (20 cases) and non-severe cases (22 cases). The results showed that co-detection rate of specific-IgA for SARS-CoV-2 with at least one pathogen were significantly higher in severe cases than that of non-severe cases (72.2% vs. 46.2%, p=0.014). Our study indicates that co-detection of IgA antibodies for respiratory pathogens might provide diagnostic value for the clinics and also be informative for risk stratification and disease management in COVID-19 patients