Mild-to-moderate COVID-19 does not predispose to the development of autoimmune rheumatic diseases or autoimmune-based thrombosis

An infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) may have a significant impact on the human immune system. Interactions between the virus and defence mechanisms may promote the development of autoimmune processes which manifest as antinuclear antibody (ANA) synthesis. Since many different viruses are suspected to take part in the pathogenesis of different systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs), we examined whether coronavirus disease 2019 convalescents who suffer from mild to moderate disease have a higher risk of developing ANA and anti-beta(2)-glicoprotein I IgG antibodies (beta(2) GPI). In a retrospective study, we examined 294 adults among volunteer blood donors divided into convalescents (N = 215) and healthy controls (N = 79). For ANA detection, we used line-blotting, a type of indirect immunofluorescence assay (IF), to determine antigenic specificity and ELISA for beta(2) GPI. We found a lower incidence of ANA in convalescents than in healthy controls, with the majority of these antibodies directed to antigens with no known clinical significance. Additionally, no participants were positive for beta(2) GPI in either group. Our results show that COVID-19 with mild to moderate symptoms in the generally healthy population does not induce the development of ANA or anti-beta 2 GPI antibodies for at least 6 months following the disease.