SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies cross-react with dengue virus and enhance infection in vitro and in vivo

The presence of non-neutralizing antibodies of any dengue serotype, increase the severity of subsequent infection by other dengue serotypes. During SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the number of symptomatic dengue cases increased in India. We describe that antibodies isolated from convalescent plasma from COVID-19 patients enhances DENV2 infection in vitro. CR3022, one antibody against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, also showed elevated DENV2 infection in vitro. In silico protein-protein interactions between the spike antibodies and the DENV2 E-protein revealed significant interactions. Likewise, few monoclonal/polyclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 showed increased dengue infection in vitro. Importantly, the AG129 mice infected with SARS-CoV-2 three-weeks prior to DENV2 infection, showed elevated dengue pathogenesis. Thus, highlighting the possibilities of elevated infection and symptomatic dengue disease in COVID-19 survivors.