No SARS-CoV-2 cross-neutralization by intravenous immunoglobulins produced from plasma collected before the 2020 pandemic

The 2020 SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is caused by a zoonotic coronavirus transmitted to humans, similar to earlier events. Whether the other, seasonally circulating coronaviruses induce cross-reactive, potentially even cross-neutralizing antibodies to the new species in humans is unclear. The question is of particular relevance for people with immune deficiencies, as their health depends on treatment with immunoglobulin preparations that need to contain neutralizing antibodies against the pathogens in their environment. Testing 54 IVIG preparations, produced from plasma collected in Europe and the US, highly potent neutralization of a seasonal coronavirus was confirmed, yet no cross-neutralization of the new SARS-CoV-2 was seen.