Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jun 16, 2024 5 months, 3 weeks, 4 days, 22 hours, 15 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: While the world has focused on the initial waves of COVID-19 infections, a silent but significant story has been unfolding - reinfections. A new study that is covered in this
COVID-19 News report, has shed light on how often people get reinfected with the virus, even if they had mild or no symptoms the first time. This research is not just a medical curiosity but holds essential clues for public health policies and vaccine development.
SARS-CoV-2 reinfection rates. (A) Participants reporting none, one or two reinfections, or providing no information. (B) Individual antibody dynamics and local regression of anti-N (COI), (C) anti-S antibodies (IU/mL, logarithmic scale), and (D) in vitro functionality (percent) according to reported reinfections. (E) Subdivisions of participants according to their individual serological SARS-CoV-2 antibody profile: one increase of anti-N antibodies >30% compared to previous points in time, more than one increase of anti-N antibodies >30%, and no increase of anti-N antibodies. (F) individual antibody dynamics and local regression of anti-N total antibodies (COI), (G) anti-S antibody levels (IU/mL, logarithmic scale), and (H) in vitro functionality (percent) according to anti-N antibody dynamics as indicated. (I) Anti-N antibody dynamics of individuals without reported reinfection. (J) Participants showing an increase in anti-N antibody levels >30% compared to their previous donation, relative to the total number of donations (within our sample) at that point in time (per month). Average increase rate was 1.7% for the pre-Delta period, 4.4% for the Delta period, and 38.5% for omicron. Data given in percent, time indicated as year-month. The most prominent SARS-CoV-2 variant circulating is indicated by coloured squares.
Blood Donors: A Unique Group
Researchers from the University Hospital of Salzburg (SALK)-Austria, Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) Salzburg-Austria and IDA Lab Salzburg-Austria turned to a unique group of people to understand reinfections better: blood donors. Blood donors are generally healthy and routinely screened, making them ideal for studying the long-term dynamics of COVID-19. Between June 2020 and December 2023, scientists analyzed 117,895 blood donations in Austria. They focused on the levels of specific antibodies that indicate past infections.
Rising Antibody Levels
The study found that the prevalence of antibodies, specifically those produced after a COVID-19 infection, increased steadily among blood donors. In June 2020, only 1.7% of the donations showed these antibodies. By December 2023, this number had skyrocketed to 93.4%. This rise indicates ongoing infections and reinfections, even in a seemingly healthy population.
Reinfections: More Common Than Reported
One of the study's surprising findings was the discrepancy between reported reinfections and what the antibody data revealed. While
59% of participants reported experiencing a second infection, the antibody levels suggested that the actual reinfection rate was about 88%. This means many reinfections went unnoticed by the individuals.
Omicron's Role in Reinfections
The arrival of the Omicron variant marked a significant increase in reinfections. Before Omicron, reinfections were relatively rare. However, with Omicron's higher infectivity, the rate of reinfections surged. By early 2023, about 26% of reinfections occurred without the individuals realizing it.
Who Is at Risk?
The study showed that reinfections were independent of age, sex, or blood group. This finding is crucial because it suggests that everyone is equally vulnerable to reinfections. Interestingly, individuals who experienced more than one reinfection reported more symptoms during their initial infection, indicating a possible link between the severity of the first infection and the likelihood of reinfections.
Vaccination's Impact
Vaccination played a role, albeit modest, in reducing the risk of reinfections. Vaccinated individuals showed higher levels of antibodies and better in vitro functionality of these antibodies. However, reinfections still occurred among vaccinated people, highlighting the virus's evolving nature and the need for ongoing vigilance and booster vaccinations.
Symptoms and Variants
Symptoms of reinfections also evolved with different virus variants. While early infections often included symptoms like loss of smell and gastrointestinal issues, reinfections with Omicron were more likely to cause coughs and sore throats. This shift in symptoms aligns with other studies showing how different variants impact the body differently.
Public Health Implications
This study's findings underscore the importance of continued monitoring and research on COVID-19 reinfections. The high rate of unnoticed reinfections suggests that the virus spreads more widely than detected through standard testing and symptom reporting. Public health strategies need to account for these silent spreaders to effectively control the pandemic.
Looking Ahead
Understanding the dynamics of COVID-19 reinfections helps inform vaccine strategies and public health policies. Continued surveillance and research are vital, especially as new variants emerge. This study highlights that while we have come a long way in managing COVID-19, the journey is far from over. The fight against COVID-19 requires adapting to new information and staying vigilant to protect public health.
Conclusion
The story of COVID-19 reinfections among blood donors in Austria provides valuable insights into the ongoing battle against the virus. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive public health strategies that include regular surveillance and booster vaccinations. As we move forward, this knowledge will be crucial in developing effective measures to combat the ever-evolving threat of COVID-19.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Infectious Diseases (Taylor & Francis).
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23744235.2024.2367112
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-news-canadian-study-reveals-unexpected-vulnerability-to-covid-19-reinfections-among-elderly-individuals-with-previous-omicron-infections
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