What is the increase in suspected SARS-CoV-2 re-infection in different demographics?

In a recent study published in emerging infectious disease In the journal, researchers assessed a rapid increase in the number of reinfections of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in December 2021.

Genetic variation among different severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants raises concerns about reinfection. Studies have reported reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 variants after a history of infection by comparing viral genomes obtained from the same patient. However, it is difficult to distinguish between reinfection and prolonged viral shedding without the use of genome sequencing.

About research

In the current study, researchers investigated the number of suspected and suspected reinfections with SARS-CoV-2 across various demographics in Clark County, USA between March 2020 and March 2022. We monitored a percentage of

The team obtained positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results reported by medical facilities, providers, and laboratories to the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) for residents of Clark County. rice field. Results were recorded using an electronic disease surveillance system. The team estimated the interval between sample collection dates corresponding to each participant’s initial and subsequent positive COVID-19 results. Subsequent positive SARS-CoV-2 results were considered suspect for reinfection if diagnosed more than 90 days after the first positive specimen was collected.

Researchers also assessed the number of new cases reported each week when reinfection was considered suspect. This was achieved by dividing the total number of suspected reinfections by the number of new PCR-positive cases for the week. In addition, defined as a third PCR-positive test obtained at least 90 days after a third suspected infection was identified and a second PCR-positive test sample meeting the above definition of suspected reinfection was collected. it was done.

In addition, data related to patient demographics were collected from case investigation reports. The team estimated the rate of suspected reinfection reported per 1,000 patients previously infected with He COVID-19, according to age group, gender, and ethnicity.

result

According to the study results, between March 2020 and April 2022, SNHD detected 19,589 suspected reinfection cases with reinfection starting in June 2020. The number of reinfection cases was less than 0.5% of new his COVID-19 cases reported by February 2021. This rate increase was thought to be the result of the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant in January 2021.

Between March and November 2021, reinfection was suspected between 1% and 2.7% of all reported cases, even after the emergence of the Delta variant in May 2021. Dec 11, 2021 He is 11% between Dec 19-25, 2021. Primary infections during the prevalence of Omicron variants in December 2021 explained this rapid increase. In 2021, this rate remained high, rising to almost 11% in March 2022.

The team noted a suspected reinfection rate of 49 per 1,000 people aged 18-24 and 46 per 1,000 people aged 25-49. Females reported that she had the highest suspected reinfection rate of 44 cases per 1,000, whereas males had a rate of 33 per 1,000. This highlights that a woman is 36% more likely to experience suspected reinfection than a man.

Between March 2021 and April 2022, the team detected 161 suspected third reinfections. Of these, 13 occurred sporadically between March 2021 and December 2021. Between December 19, 2021 and December 25, 2021, that proportion increased to his 92% of the total number of suspected third reinfections reported after the appearance of the Omicron variant. . Notably, the rate of suspected third reinfection decreased from January to March 2022, highlighting the link between primary COVID-19 infection and suspected reinfection.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that, prior to the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, suspected reinfection with COVID-19 was relatively rare in Clark County. Subsequently, most of the SARS-CoV-2 cases reported between December 2021 and March 2022 were due to suspected reinfection. It increases with the emergence of diverse virus variants.