Demultiplexing Ig repertoires by parallel mRNA/DNA sequencing shows major differential alterations in severe COVID-19

To in-depth analyze the anti-SARS-CoV-2 humoral response and find elements that can lead or prevent acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), we dissected the multiple layers of B cell responses by NGS immunoglobulin repertoires on RNA template from peripheral blood cell of severe COVID-19 patients. Blood samples from 19 Intensive Care Unit patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 were included in this study (12 with ARDS and 7 without ARDS) and were followed over multiple time points (D0, D7 and 4 months after admission). Samples from healthy volunteers (24 samples), recruited between the ages of 18 and 75 and free from any pathology were used as controls.