First case of documented #COVID19 reinfection. Second infection (asymptomatic-with elevated CRP) 142d later, by a genetically different #SARSCoV2 strain.
Implications:
- As in other coronaviruses, reinfection possible.
- Immunity from 1st may have led to milder 2nd episode?
... https://twitter.com/ABsteward/status/1298287856063000576">https://twitter.com/ABsteward...
- vaccine trials should also include persons wt past COVID19.
- low antibody titres in 2nd episode might mean that seroprevalence studies underestimate?
- viral cultures pending to see Neutralizing antibodies in both episodes.
Still, actual frequency of re-infection remains low and unknown (only 8 months in the pandemic), therefore future implications remain to be seen
Nice thread of thoughts on the recently published case of #SARSCoV2 reinfection https://twitter.com/kakape/status/1298038827265687558?s=19">https://twitter.com/kakape/st...
Second case of #SARSCOV2 reinfection (pre-print):
25yo, 2 episodes from genetically different strains, 48d apart
What’s different? 2nd episode was more severe (pneumonia & hypoxemia). Authors used a series of tests to confirm findings & rule out errors
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3681489
...">https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/pape...
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🦠" title="Microbe" aria-label="Emoji: Microbe">As time passes and spread continues, we& #39;re seeing more cases that are out of the norm. Currently, evidence is scarce, so estimates can& #39;t be safely made.
But if reinfection is common, then that’s probably good news, bc most must have gone undetected (asymptomatic or mild).
...
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🦠" title="Microbe" aria-label="Emoji: Microbe">As with other coronaviruses (& other viruses), reinfection can’t be excluded. Here’s a great thread on re-infection with influenza & measles https://twitter.com/jbloom_lab/status/1299479311129300994">https://twitter.com/jbloom_la... .
So let’s keep our calm while we still assess the extent of this phenomenon
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https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🦠" title="Microbe" aria-label="Emoji: Microbe">I can only support that in the majority, subsequent episodes are milder due to built-up immunity (and this is perhaps why we haven’t already seen more).
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🦠" title="Microbe" aria-label="Emoji: Microbe">Again, comes the need for widespread vaccination to reach herd immunity levels asap within a short time period.
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https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🦠" title="Microbe" aria-label="Emoji: Microbe">There’s a lot we still don’t know on #SARSCoV2, especially immune mechanisms, immunity, clearance, genetic mutations & their clinical implications. For example:
- Does the level & extent of immune response during first episode affect the possibility of a second infection?
...
- Similarly, could there be variable protection due to variable immune responses elicited during an initial episode? (eg.antibodies produced during an infection that can’t protect from a genetically discordant strain)?
- Can a reinfected person transmit the virus?
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