A group of 110 patients from the West Bohemian region who had been infected with COVID-19 was monitored for the purposes of this study. We focused on cases of mild or moderate COVID-19; statistically the most likely to occur. Day zero was defined as the day on which a positive PCR test was first established. The mean length of observation was 6.5 months, the maximum length 12 months. The first blood samples were taken from a smaller cohort during the 1-3 months following the first positive PCR test. We assumed that SARS-CoV-2 antibodies would be present during this period and therefore a limited number of samples were taken for the purpose of detecting antibodies. More samples were collected, starting 4 months after the first positive PCR test. A subsequent set of blood samples were drawn, mostly 6 months after the first ones. Our study confirmed the presence of total IgG SARS-CoV-2 antibodies up to 1 year after the onset of the disease. The peak of antibody production was observed in the third month after the first positive PCR test. A mathematical estimate of the median duration of antibody positivity was calculated to be 18 months from the onset of the COVID-19 infection.

Department of Immunochemistry Diagnostics University Hospital in Pilsen 309 55 Pilsen Czech Republic

Department of Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine University Hospital in Pilsen 309 55 Pilsen Czech Republic

Department of Microbiology University Hospital in Pilsen 309 55 Pilsen Czech Republic

Department of Otorhinolaryngology University Hospital in Pilsen Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen Charles University 309 55 Pilsen Czech Republic

Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen Institute of Epidemiology Charles University 301 00 Pilsen Czech Republic

Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology Charles University 323 00 Pilsen Czech Republic

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