Huge effort from the lab team to develop a new assay and analyse the samples and data including @rhcmcg.bsky.social and many not on 🦋. Great to collaborate with folk we worked through the pandemic with especially Alex James on modelling, and the NZ Blood Service. Big thanks to the MWC for funding.

This type of data can provide insight into immunity to respiratory pathogens, but there is still lots to learn - including the time-frame in which antibodies return to pre-pandemic levels and conducting similar studies in those most affected during the surges such as children

We found that antibodies to RSV and Strep A declined by 6-16% in 150 healthy adults during the 3-year period of pandemic restrictions. This suggests reduced pathogen exposure was associated with a decline in antibodies in the population and may have contributed to infection surges