Standard tests to assess T cells may unravel Covid-19 mysteries: Scientists

According to Rath, a subset CD8 T cells provide a major anti-viral immune function which may have a substantive role to play, especially in people whose antibody responses turn out to be short-lived

Since immunity against the novel coronavirus is contributed by both the antibodies and cells of the immune system, simpler, standardised lab tests to assess the T cell response in Covid-19 patients may help unravel more mysteries about the disease, say scientists.

Immunologist Satyajit Rath noted that the two major components of immunity specific for any infection are the T cell responses, and those mediated by the immune system's B cells along with the antibody proteins they produce.

"Antibody responses are easier to measure, especially on a large scale, and they have traditionally been the protective components of vaccine-induced immunity. Therefore,