1
|
Chemaitelly H, Ayoub HH, Tang P, Yassine HM, Al Thani AA, Hasan MR, Coyle P, Al-Kanaani Z, Al-Kuwari E, Jeremijenko A, Kaleeckal AH, Latif AN, Shaik RM, Abdul-Rahim HF, Nasrallah GK, Al-Kuwari MG, Butt AA, Al-Romaihi HE, Al-Thani MH, Al-Khal A, Bertollini R, Abu-Raddad LJ. Addressing bias in the definition of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection: implications for underestimation. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1363045. [PMID: 38529118 PMCID: PMC10961414 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1363045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Reinfections are increasingly becoming a feature in the epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, accurately defining reinfection poses methodological challenges. Conventionally, reinfection is defined as a positive test occurring at least 90 days after a previous infection diagnosis. Yet, this extended time window may lead to an underestimation of reinfection occurrences. This study investigated the prospect of adopting an alternative, shorter time window for defining reinfection. Methods A longitudinal study was conducted to assess the incidence of reinfections in the total population of Qatar, from February 28, 2020 to November 20, 2023. The assessment considered a range of time windows for defining reinfection, spanning from 1 day to 180 days. Subgroup analyses comparing first versus repeat reinfections and a sensitivity analysis, focusing exclusively on individuals who underwent frequent testing, were performed. Results The relationship between the number of reinfections in the population and the duration of the time window used to define reinfection revealed two distinct dynamical domains. Within the initial 15 days post-infection diagnosis, almost all positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 were attributed to the original infection. However, surpassing the 30-day post-infection threshold, nearly all positive tests were attributed to reinfections. A 40-day time window emerged as a sufficiently conservative definition for reinfection. By setting the time window at 40 days, the estimated number of reinfections in the population increased from 84,565 to 88,384, compared to the 90-day time window. The maximum observed reinfections were 6 and 4 for the 40-day and 90-day time windows, respectively. The 40-day time window was appropriate for defining reinfection, irrespective of whether it was the first, second, third, or fourth occurrence. The sensitivity analysis, confined to high testers exclusively, replicated similar patterns and results. Discussion A 40-day time window is optimal for defining reinfection, providing an informed alternative to the conventional 90-day time window. Reinfections are prevalent, with some individuals experiencing multiple instances since the onset of the pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiam Chemaitelly
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Houssein H. Ayoub
- Mathematics Program, Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Patrick Tang
- Department of Pathology, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hadi M. Yassine
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Asmaa A. Al Thani
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammad R. Hasan
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Peter Coyle
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queens University, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hanan F. Abdul-Rahim
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Gheyath K. Nasrallah
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Adeel A. Butt
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
| | | | | | | | | | - Laith J. Abu-Raddad
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nash D, Srivastava A, Shen Y, Penrose K, Kulkarni SG, Zimba R, You W, Berry A, Mirzayi C, Maroko A, Parcesepe AM, Grov C, Robertson MM. Seroincidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection prior to and during the rollout of vaccines in a community-based prospective cohort of U.S. adults. Sci Rep 2024; 14:644. [PMID: 38182731 PMCID: PMC10770061 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-51029-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
This study used repeat serologic testing to estimate infection rates and risk factors in two overlapping cohorts of SARS-CoV-2 N protein seronegative U.S. adults. One mostly unvaccinated sub-cohort was tracked from April 2020 to March 2021 (pre-vaccine/wild-type era, n = 3421), and the other, mostly vaccinated cohort, from March 2021 to June 2022 (vaccine/variant era, n = 2735). Vaccine uptake was 0.53% and 91.3% in the pre-vaccine and vaccine/variant cohorts, respectively. Corresponding seroconversion rates were 9.6 and 25.7 per 100 person-years. In both cohorts, sociodemographic and epidemiologic risk factors for infection were similar, though new risk factors emerged in the vaccine/variant era, such as having a child in the household. Despite higher incidence rates in the vaccine/variant cohort, vaccine boosters, masking, and social distancing were associated with substantially reduced infection risk, even through major variant surges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denis Nash
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA.
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, 55 W. 125th St., 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10027, USA.
| | - Avantika Srivastava
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - Yanhan Shen
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - Kate Penrose
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - Sarah G Kulkarni
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca Zimba
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - William You
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - Amanda Berry
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - Chloe Mirzayi
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew Maroko
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
- Department of Environmental, Occupational, and Geospatial Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - Angela M Parcesepe
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Christian Grov
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
- Department of Community Health and Social Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - McKaylee M Robertson
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Choudhry S, Rowland TAJ, McClelland K, Renz E, Iyanger N, Chow JY, Aiano F, Ladhani SN, Jeffery-Smith A, Andrews NJ, Zambon M. Protection from infection and reinfection due to the Omicron BA.1 variant in care homes. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1186134. [PMID: 37936695 PMCID: PMC10627010 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1186134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Following the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in 2020, care homes were disproportionately impacted by high mortality and morbidity of vulnerable elderly residents. Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and improved infection control measures together with vaccination campaigns have since improved outcomes of infection. We studied the utility of past infection status, recent vaccination and anti-S antibody titres as possible correlates of protection against a newly emergent Omicron variant infection. Methods Prospective longitudinal surveillance of nine sentinel London care homes from April 2020 onwards found that all experienced COVID-19 outbreaks due to Omicron (BA.1) during December 2021 and January 2022, despite extensive prior SARS-CoV-2 exposure and high COVID-19 vaccination rates, including booster vaccines (>70% residents, >40% staff). Results Detailed investigation showed that 46% (133/288) of Omicron BA.1 infections were SARS-CoV-2 reinfections. Two and three COVID-19 vaccine doses were protective against Omicron infection within 2-9 weeks of vaccination, though protection waned from 10 weeks post-vaccination. Prior infection provided additional protection in vaccinated individuals, approximately halving the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Discussion Anti-S antibody titre showed a dose-dependent protective effect but did not fully account for the protection provided by vaccination or past infection, indicating that other mechanisms of protection are also involved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saher Choudhry
- Virus Reference Department, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Kamil McClelland
- Virus Reference Department, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Erik Renz
- Virus Reference Department, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nalini Iyanger
- London Coronavirus Response Centre, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - J Yimmy Chow
- London Coronavirus Response Centre, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Felicity Aiano
- Immunisations and Countermeasures Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shamez N. Ladhani
- Immunisations and Countermeasures Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Jeffery-Smith
- Virus Reference Department, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nick J. Andrews
- Statistics, Modelling and Economics Unit, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Zambon
- Virus Reference Department, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chemaitelly H, Ayoub HH, Tang P, Coyle PV, Yassine HM, Al Thani AA, Al-Khatib HA, Hasan MR, Al-Kanaani Z, Al-Kuwari E, Jeremijenko A, Kaleeckal AH, Latif AN, Shaik RM, Abdul-Rahim HF, Nasrallah GK, Al-Kuwari MG, Butt AA, Al-Romaihi HE, Al-Thani MH, Al-Khal A, Bertollini R, Abu-Raddad LJ. History of primary-series and booster vaccination and protection against Omicron reinfection. Sci Adv 2023; 9:eadh0761. [PMID: 37792951 PMCID: PMC10550237 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh0761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Laboratory evidence suggests a possibility of immune imprinting for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We investigated the differences in the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in a cohort of persons who had a primary Omicron infection, but different vaccination histories using matched, national, retrospective, cohort studies. Adjusted hazard ratio for reinfection incidence, factoring adjustment for differences in testing rate, was 0.43 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.39 to 0.49] comparing history of two-dose vaccination to no vaccination, 1.47 (95% CI: 1.23 to 1.76) comparing history of three-dose vaccination to two-dose vaccination, and 0.57 (95% CI: 0.48 to 0.68) comparing history of three-dose vaccination to no vaccination. Divergence in cumulative incidence curves increased markedly when the incidence was dominated by BA.4/BA.5 and BA.2.75* Omicron subvariants. The history of primary-series vaccination enhanced immune protection against Omicron reinfection, but history of booster vaccination compromised protection against Omicron reinfection. These findings do not undermine the public health utility of booster vaccination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiam Chemaitelly
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation – Education City, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Houssein H. Ayoub
- Mathematics Program, Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Patrick Tang
- Department of Pathology, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Peter V. Coyle
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queens University, Belfast, UK
| | - Hadi M. Yassine
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Asmaa A. Al Thani
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hebah A. Al-Khatib
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hanan F. Abdul-Rahim
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Gheyath K. Nasrallah
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Adeel A. Butt
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Laith J. Abu-Raddad
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation – Education City, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nash D, Srivastava A, Shen J, Penrose K, Kulkarni SG, Zimba R, You W, Berry A, Mirzayi C, Maroko A, Parcesepe AM, Grov C, Robertson MM. Seroincidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection prior to and during the rollout of vaccines in a community-based prospective cohort of U.S. adults. medRxiv 2023:2023.09.29.23296142. [PMID: 37873066 PMCID: PMC10593054 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.29.23296142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Background Infectious disease surveillance systems, which largely rely on diagnosed cases, underestimate the true incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, due to under-ascertainment and underreporting. We used repeat serologic testing to measure N-protein seroconversion in a well-characterized cohort of U.S. adults with no serologic evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection to estimate the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and characterize risk factors, with comparisons before and after the start of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and variant eras. Methods We assessed the incidence rate of infection and risk factors in two sub-groups (cohorts) that were SARS-CoV-2 N-protein seronegative at the start of each follow-up period: 1) the pre-vaccine/wild-type era cohort (n=3,421), followed from April to November 2020; and 2) the vaccine/variant era cohort (n=2,735), followed from November 2020 to June 2022. Both cohorts underwent repeat serologic testing with an assay for antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 N protein (Bio-Rad Platelia SARS-CoV-2 total Ab). We estimated crude incidence and sociodemographic/epidemiologic risk factors in both cohorts. We used multivariate Poisson models to compare the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the pre-vaccine/wild-type era cohort (referent group) to that in the vaccine/variant era cohort, within strata of vaccination status and epidemiologic risk factors (essential worker status, child in the household, case in the household, social distancing). Findings In the pre-vaccine/wild-type era cohort, only 18 of the 3,421 participants (0.53%) had ≥1 vaccine dose by the end of follow-up, compared with 2,497/2,735 (91.3%) in the vaccine/variant era cohort. We observed 323 and 815 seroconversions in the pre-vaccine/wild-type era and the vaccine/variant era and cohorts, respectively, with corresponding incidence rates of 9.6 (95% CI: 8.3-11.5) and 25.7 (95% CI: 24.2-27.3) per 100 person-years. Associations of sociodemographic and epidemiologic risk factors with SARS-CoV-2 incidence were largely similar in the pre-vaccine/wild-type and vaccine/variant era cohorts. However, some new epidemiologic risk factors emerged in the vaccine/variant era cohort, including having a child in the household, and never wearing a mask while using public transit. Adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRR), with the entire pre-vaccine/wild-type era cohort as the referent group, showed markedly higher incidence in the vaccine/variant era cohort, but with more vaccine doses associated with lower incidence: aIRRun/undervaccinated=5.3 (95% CI: 4.2-6.7); aIRRprimary series only=5.1 (95% CI: 4.2-7.3); aIRRboosted once=2.5 (95% CI: 2.1-3.0), and aIRRboosted twice=1.65 (95% CI: 1.3-2.1). These associations were essentially unchanged in risk factor-stratified models. Interpretation In SARS-CoV-2 N protein seronegative individuals, large increases in incidence and newly emerging epidemiologic risk factors in the vaccine/variant era likely resulted from multiple co-occurring factors, including policy changes, behavior changes, surges in transmission, and changes in SARS-CoV-2 variant properties. While SARS-CoV-2 incidence increased markedly in most groups in the vaccine/variant era, being up to date on vaccines and the use of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), such as masking and social distancing, remained reliable strategies to mitigate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, even through major surges due to immune evasive variants. Repeat serologic testing in cohort studies is a useful and complementary strategy to characterize SARS-CoV-2 incidence and risk factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denis Nash
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY); New York, New York, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY); New York, New York, USA
| | - Avantika Srivastava
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY); New York, New York, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY); New York, New York, USA
| | - Jenny Shen
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY); New York, New York, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY); New York, New York, USA
| | - Kate Penrose
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY); New York, New York, USA
| | - Sarah Gorrell Kulkarni
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY); New York, New York, USA
| | - Rebecca Zimba
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY); New York, New York, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY); New York, New York, USA
| | - William You
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY); New York, New York, USA
| | - Amanda Berry
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY); New York, New York, USA
| | - Chloe Mirzayi
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY); New York, New York, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY); New York, New York, USA
| | - Andrew Maroko
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY); New York, New York, USA
- Department of Environmental, Occupational, and Geospatial Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY); New York, New York, USA
| | - Angela M. Parcesepe
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY); New York, New York, USA
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Christian Grov
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY); New York, New York, USA
- Department of Community Health and Social Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY); New York, New York, USA
| | - McKaylee M. Robertson
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY); New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Qasmieh SA, Robertson MM, Teasdale CA, Kulkarni SG, Jones HE, Larsen DA, Dennehy JJ, McNairy M, Borrell LN, Nash D. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and other public health outcomes during the BA.2/BA.2.12.1 surge, New York City, April-May 2022. Commun Med (Lond) 2023; 3:92. [PMID: 37391483 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-023-00321-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Routine case surveillance data for SARS-CoV-2 are incomplete, unrepresentative, missing key variables of interest, and may be increasingly unreliable for timely surge detection and understanding the true burden of infection. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 1030 New York City (NYC) adult residents ≥18 years on May 7-8, 2022. We estimated the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the preceding 14-day period. Respondents were asked about SARS-CoV-2 testing, testing outcomes, COVID-like symptoms, and contact with SARS-CoV-2 cases. SARS-CoV-2 prevalence estimates were age- and sex-adjusted to the 2020 U.S. POPULATION We triangulated survey-based prevalence estimates with contemporaneous official SARS-CoV-2 counts of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, as well as SARS-CoV-2 wastewater concentrations. RESULTS We show that 22.1% (95% CI 17.9-26.2%) of respondents had SARS-CoV-2 infection during the two-week study period, corresponding to ~1.5 million adults (95% CI 1.3-1.8 million). The official SARS-CoV-2 case count during the study period is 51,218. Prevalence is estimated at 36.6% (95% CI 28.3-45.8%) among individuals with co-morbidities, 13.7% (95% CI 10.4-17.9%) among those 65+ years, and 15.3% (95% CI 9.6-23.5%) among unvaccinated persons. Among individuals with a SARS-CoV-2 infection, hybrid immunity (history of both vaccination and infection) is 66.2% (95% CI 55.7-76.7%), 44.1% (95% CI 33.0-55.1%) were aware of the antiviral nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, and 15.1% (95% CI 7.1-23.1%) reported receiving it. Hospitalizations, deaths and SARS-CoV-2 virus concentrations in wastewater remained well below that during the BA.1 surge. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the true magnitude of NYC's BA.2/BA.2.12.1 surge may have been vastly underestimated by routine case counts and wastewater surveillance. Hybrid immunity, bolstered by the recent BA.1 surge, likely limited the severity of the BA.2/BA.2.12.1 surge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saba A Qasmieh
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - McKaylee M Robertson
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - Chloe A Teasdale
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - Sarah G Kulkarni
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - Heidi E Jones
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - David A Larsen
- Department of Public Health, Falk College, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - John J Dennehy
- Department of Biology, Queens College, City University of New York, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Margaret McNairy
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
- Center for Global Health and Division of General Internal Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Luisa N Borrell
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - Denis Nash
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Arabi M, Al-Najjar Y, Sharma O, Kamal I, Javed A, Gohil HS, Paul P, Al-Khalifa AM, Laws S, Zakaria D. Role of previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 in protecting against omicron reinfections and severe complications of COVID-19 compared to pre-omicron variants: a systematic review. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:432. [PMID: 37365490 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08328-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The SARS-CoV-2 virus elicited a major public concern worldwide since December 2019 due to the high number of infections and deaths caused by COVID-19. The Omicron variant was detected in October 2021 which evolved from the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and was found to possess many mutations. Omicron exhibited high transmissibility and immune evasion as well as reduced severity when compared to the earlier variants. Although vaccinated individuals were largely protected against infections in previous waves, the high prevalence of both reinfections and breakthrough infections with Omicron was observed. The aim of this review is to understand the effectiveness of previous infection on subsequent reinfection, given its significance in driving public health policy, including vaccination prioritization and lockdown requirements. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted using several databases to target studies reporting data related to the effectiveness of the previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 in protecting against the Omicron variant. Screening of the studies, quality assessment and data extraction were conducted by two reviewers for each study. RESULTS Only 27 studies met our inclusion criteria. It was observed that previous infection was less effective in preventing reinfections with the Omicron variant compared to the Delta variant irrespective of vaccination status. Furthermore, being fully vaccinated with a booster dose provided additional protection from the Omicron variant. Additionally, most infections caused by Omicron were asymptomatic or mild and rarely resulted in hospitalizations or death in comparison to the Delta wave. CONCLUSION A majority of the studies reached a consensus that although previous infection provides some degree of immunity against Omicron reinfection, it is much lower in comparison to Delta. Full vaccination with two doses was more protective against Delta than Omicron. Receiving a booster dose provided additional protection against Omicron. It is therefore clear that neither vaccination nor previous infection alone provide optimal protection; hybrid immunity has shown the best results in terms of protecting against either Omicron or Delta variants. However, additional research is needed to quantify how long immunity from vaccination versus previous infection lasts and whether individuals will benefit from variant-specific vaccinations to enhance protection from infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Arabi
- Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Al Luqta St. Ar-Rayyan, P.O. Box 24144, Doha, Qatar
| | - Yousef Al-Najjar
- Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Al Luqta St. Ar-Rayyan, P.O. Box 24144, Doha, Qatar
| | - Omna Sharma
- Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Al Luqta St. Ar-Rayyan, P.O. Box 24144, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ibtihal Kamal
- Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Al Luqta St. Ar-Rayyan, P.O. Box 24144, Doha, Qatar
| | - Aimen Javed
- Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Al Luqta St. Ar-Rayyan, P.O. Box 24144, Doha, Qatar
| | - Harsh S Gohil
- Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Al Luqta St. Ar-Rayyan, P.O. Box 24144, Doha, Qatar
| | - Pradipta Paul
- Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Al Luqta St. Ar-Rayyan, P.O. Box 24144, Doha, Qatar
| | - Aljazi M Al-Khalifa
- Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Al Luqta St. Ar-Rayyan, P.O. Box 24144, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sa'ad Laws
- Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Al Luqta St. Ar-Rayyan, P.O. Box 24144, Doha, Qatar
| | - Dalia Zakaria
- Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Al Luqta St. Ar-Rayyan, P.O. Box 24144, Doha, Qatar.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ravindran S, Gubbay JB, Cronin K, Sullivan A, Zygmunt A, Johnson K, Buchan SA, Parpia AS. Association Between Cycle Threshold Value and Vaccination Status Among Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron Variant Cases in Ontario, Canada, in December 2021. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad282. [PMID: 37274182 PMCID: PMC10234392 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Increased immune evasion by emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants and occurrence of breakthrough infections raise questions about whether coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination status affects SARS-CoV-2 viral load among those infected. This study examined the relationship between cycle threshold (Ct) value, which is inversely associated with viral load, and vaccination status at the onset of the Omicron wave onset in Ontario, Canada. Methods Using linked provincial databases, we compared median Ct values across vaccination status among polymerase chain reaction-confirmed Omicron variant SARS-CoV-2 cases (sublineages B.1.1.529, BA.1, and BA.1.1) between 6 and 30 December 2021. Cases were presumed to be Omicron based on S-gene target failure. We estimated the relationship between vaccination status and Ct values using multiple linear regression, adjusting for age group, sex, and symptom status. Results Of the 27 029 presumed Omicron cases in Ontario, the majority were in individuals who had received a complete vaccine series (87.7%), followed by unvaccinated individuals (8.1%), and those who had received a booster dose (4.2%). The median Ct value for post-booster dose individuals (18.3 [interquartile range, 15.4-22.3]) was significantly higher than that for unvaccinated (17.9 [15.2-21.6]; P = .02) and post-vaccine series individuals (17.8 [15.3-21.5]; P = .005). Post-booster dose cases remained associated with a significantly higher median Ct value than cases in unvaccinated individuals (P ≤ .001), after adjustment for covariates. Compared with values in persons aged 18-29 years, Ct values were significantly lower among most age groups >50 years. Conclusions While slightly lower Ct values were observed among unvaccinated individuals infected with Omicron compared with post-booster dose cases, further research is required to determine whether a significant difference in secondary transmission exists between these groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan B Gubbay
- Public Health Ontario Laboratory, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kirby Cronin
- Public Health Ontario Laboratory, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ashleigh Sullivan
- Public Health Ontario Laboratory, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Austin Zygmunt
- Health Protection, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Karen Johnson
- Health Protection, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sarah A Buchan
- Correspondence: Sarah A. Buchan, Public Health Ontario, 661 University Ave, Floor 17, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada (); Alyssa S. Parpia, Public Health Ontario, 480 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1V2, Canada ()
| | - Alyssa S Parpia
- Correspondence: Sarah A. Buchan, Public Health Ontario, 661 University Ave, Floor 17, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada (); Alyssa S. Parpia, Public Health Ontario, 480 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1V2, Canada ()
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 viral load and detection of infectious virus in the respiratory tract are the two key parameters for estimating infectiousness. As shedding of infectious virus is required for onward transmission, understanding shedding characteristics is relevant for public health interventions. Viral shedding is influenced by biological characteristics of the virus, host factors and pre-existing immunity (previous infection or vaccination) of the infected individual. Although the process of human-to-human transmission is multifactorial, viral load substantially contributed to human-to-human transmission, with higher viral load posing a greater risk for onward transmission. Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern have further complicated the picture of virus shedding. As underlying immunity in the population through previous infection, vaccination or a combination of both has rapidly increased on a global scale after almost 3 years of the pandemic, viral shedding patterns have become more distinct from those of ancestral SARS-CoV-2. Understanding the factors and mechanisms that influence infectious virus shedding and the period during which individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 are contagious is crucial to guide public health measures and limit transmission. Furthermore, diagnostic tools to demonstrate the presence of infectious virus from routine diagnostic specimens are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olha Puhach
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Meyer
- Centre for Vaccinology, Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Isabella Eckerle
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Geneva Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zsichla L, Müller V. Risk Factors of Severe COVID-19: A Review of Host, Viral and Environmental Factors. Viruses 2023; 15:175. [PMID: 36680215 PMCID: PMC9863423 DOI: 10.3390/v15010175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical course and outcome of COVID-19 are highly variable, ranging from asymptomatic infections to severe disease and death. Understanding the risk factors of severe COVID-19 is relevant both in the clinical setting and at the epidemiological level. Here, we provide an overview of host, viral and environmental factors that have been shown or (in some cases) hypothesized to be associated with severe clinical outcomes. The factors considered in detail include the age and frailty, genetic polymorphisms, biological sex (and pregnancy), co- and superinfections, non-communicable comorbidities, immunological history, microbiota, and lifestyle of the patient; viral genetic variation and infecting dose; socioeconomic factors; and air pollution. For each category, we compile (sometimes conflicting) evidence for the association of the factor with COVID-19 outcomes (including the strength of the effect) and outline possible action mechanisms. We also discuss the complex interactions between the various risk factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Levente Zsichla
- Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
- National Laboratory for Health Security, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Viktor Müller
- Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
- National Laboratory for Health Security, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhou Y, Zhi H, Teng Y. The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineages, immune escape, and vaccine effectivity. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28138. [PMID: 36097349 PMCID: PMC9538491 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
As of November 2021, several SARS-CoV-2 variants appeared and became dominant epidemic strains in many countries, including five variants of concern (VOCs) Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron defined by the World Health Organization during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of August 2022, Omicron is classified into five main lineages, BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.4, BA.5 and some sublineages (BA.1.1, BA.2.12.1, BA.2.11, BA.2.75, BA.4.6) (https://www.gisaid.org/). Compared to the previous VOCs (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta), all the Omicron lineages have the most highly mutations in the spike protein, and with 50 mutations accumulated throughout the genome. Early data indicated that Omicron BA.2 sublineage had higher infectivity and more immune escape than the early wild-type (WT) strain, the previous VOCs, and BA.1. Recently, global surveillance data suggest a higher transmissibility of BA.4/BA.5 than BA.1, BA.1.1 and BA.2, and BA.4/BA.5 is becoming dominant strain in many countries globally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongbing Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, Affiliated Hangzhou Dermatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huilin Zhi
- Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, Affiliated Hangzhou Dermatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yong Teng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, Affiliated Hangzhou Dermatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chemaitelly H, Nagelkerke N, Ayoub HH, Coyle P, Tang P, Yassine HM, Al-Khatib HA, Smatti MK, Hasan MR, Al-Kanaani Z, Al-Kuwari E, Jeremijenko A, Kaleeckal AH, Latif AN, Shaik RM, Abdul-Rahim HF, Nasrallah GK, Al-Kuwari MG, Butt AA, Al-Romaihi HE, Al-Thani MH, Al-Khal A, Bertollini R, Abu-Raddad LJ. Duration of immune protection of SARS-CoV-2 natural infection against reinfection. J Travel Med 2022; 29:6731972. [PMID: 36179099 PMCID: PMC9619565 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taac109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The future of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic hinges on virus evolution and duration of immune protection of natural infection against reinfection. We investigated the duration of protection afforded by natural infection, the effect of viral immune evasion on duration of protection and protection against severe reinfection, in Qatar, between 28 February 2020 and 5 June 2022. METHODS Three national, matched, retrospective cohort studies were conducted to compare the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity among unvaccinated persons with a documented SARS-CoV-2 primary infection, to incidence among those infection-naïve and unvaccinated. Associations were estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression models. RESULTS Effectiveness of pre-Omicron primary infection against pre-Omicron reinfection was 85.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 84.8-86.2%]. Effectiveness peaked at 90.5% (95% CI: 88.4-92.3%) in the 7th month after the primary infection, but waned to ~ 70% by the 16th month. Extrapolating this waning trend using a Gompertz curve suggested an effectiveness of 50% in the 22nd month and < 10% by the 32nd month. Effectiveness of pre-Omicron primary infection against Omicron reinfection was 38.1% (95% CI: 36.3-39.8%) and declined with time since primary infection. A Gompertz curve suggested an effectiveness of < 10% by the 15th month. Effectiveness of primary infection against severe, critical or fatal COVID-19 reinfection was 97.3% (95% CI: 94.9-98.6%), irrespective of the variant of primary infection or reinfection, and with no evidence for waning. Similar results were found in sub-group analyses for those ≥50 years of age. CONCLUSIONS Protection of natural infection against reinfection wanes and may diminish within a few years. Viral immune evasion accelerates this waning. Protection against severe reinfection remains very strong, with no evidence for waning, irrespective of variant, for over 14 months after primary infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiam Chemaitelly
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Research Department, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar.,World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation - Education City, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nico Nagelkerke
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Research Department, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Houssein H Ayoub
- Mathematics Program, Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Peter Coyle
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.,Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queens University, Belfast, UK
| | - Patrick Tang
- Department of Pathology, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hadi M Yassine
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hebah A Al-Khatib
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Maria K Smatti
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hanan F Abdul-Rahim
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Gheyath K Nasrallah
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Adeel A Butt
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.,Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University,New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Laith J Abu-Raddad
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Research Department, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar.,World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation - Education City, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abou-Saleh H, Abo-Halawa BY, Younes S, Younes N, Al-Sadeq DW, Shurrab FM, Liu N, Qotba H, Al-Dewik N, Ismail A, Yassine HM, Abu-Raddad LJ, Nasrallah GK. Neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 are higher but decline faster in mRNA vaccinees compared to individuals with natural infection. J Travel Med 2022; 29:6808421. [PMID: 36342115 PMCID: PMC9793397 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taac130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Waning protection against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants by pre-existing antibodies elicited because of current vaccination or natural infection is a global concern. Whether this is due to the waning of immunity to SARS-COV-2 remains unclear. AIM We aimed to investigate the dynamics of antibody isotype responses amongst vaccinated naïve (VN) and naturally infected (NI) individuals. METHODS We followed up antibody levels in COVID-19 messenger RNA (mRNA)-vaccinated subjects without prior infection (VN, n = 100) in two phases: phase-I (P-I) at ~ 1.4 and phase-II (P-II) at ~ 5.3 months. Antibody levels were compared with those of unvaccinated and naturally infected subjects (NI, n = 40) at ~ 1.7 (P-1) and 5.2 (P-II) months post-infection. Neutralizing antibodies (NTAb), anti-S-RBD-IgG, -IgM and anti-S-IgA isotypes were measured. RESULTS The VN group elicited significantly greater antibody responses (P < 0.001) than the NI group at P-I, except for IgM. In the VN group, a significant waning in antibody response was observed in all isotypes. There was about an ~ 4-fold decline in NTAb levels (P < 0.001), anti-S-RBD-IgG (~5-fold, P < 0.001), anti-S-RBD-IgM (~6-fold, P < 0.001) and anti-S1-IgA (2-fold, P < 0.001). In the NI group, a significant but less steady decline was notable in S-RBD-IgM (~2-fold, P < 0.001), and a much smaller but significant difference in NTAb (<2-fold, P < 0.001) anti-S-RBD IgG (<2-fold, P = 0.005). Unlike the VN group, the NI group mounted a lasting anti-S1-IgA response with no significant decline. Anti-S1-IgA, which were ~ 3-fold higher in VN subjects compared with NI in P-1 (P < 0.001), dropped to almost the same levels, with no significant difference observed between the two groups in P-II. CONCLUSION Whereas double-dose mRNA vaccination boosted antibody levels, vaccinated individuals' 'boost' was relatively short-lived.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haissam Abou-Saleh
- Biological Science Program, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Science, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Bushra Y Abo-Halawa
- Biological Science Program, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Science, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Salma Younes
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nadin Younes
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Duaa W Al-Sadeq
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,College of Medicine, Q.U. Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Na Liu
- Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hamda Qotba
- Department of Clinical Research, Primary Health Care Centers, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nader Al-Dewik
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ahmed Ismail
- Laboratory Section, Medical Commission Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hadi M Yassine
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Laith J Abu-Raddad
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation - Education City, Doha, Qatar.,World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation - Education City, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, USA
| | - Gheyath K Nasrallah
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Xu R, Wang W, Zhang W. As the SARS-CoV-2 virus evolves, should Omicron subvariant BA.2 be subjected to quarantine, or should we learn to live with it? Front Public Health 2022; 10:1039123. [PMID: 36504951 PMCID: PMC9730036 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1039123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been nearly 35 months since the COVID-19 outbreak. The pathogen SARS-CoV-2 has evolved into several variants. Among them, Omicron is the fifth variant of concern which have rapidly spread globally during the past 8 months. Omicron variant shows different characteristics from previous variants, which is highly infectious, highly transmissible, minimally pathogenic, vaccine and antibody tolerant; however, it is less likely to cause severe illness, resulting in fewer deaths. Omicron has evolved into five main lineages, including BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.4, and BA.5. Before BA.5, Omicron BA.2 sublineage was the dominant strain all over the world for several months. The experience of prevention and treatment against BA.2 is worth studying and learning for overcoming other Omicron subvariants. Although the Omicron subvariant BA.2 is significantly less severe than that caused by ancestral strains, it is still far more dangerous than influenza, and its long-term sequelae are unknown. Effective treatments are currently limited; therefore, effective defense may be the key to controlling the epidemic today, rather than just "living with" the virus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ren Xu
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Department, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wanning Wang
- Nephrology Department, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wenlong Zhang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Qassim SH, Hasan MR, Tang P, Chemaitelly H, Ayoub HH, Yassine HM, Al-Khatib HA, Smatti MK, Abdul-Rahim HF, Nasrallah GK, Al-Kuwari MG, Al-Khal A, Coyle P, Gillani I, Kaleeckal AH, Shaik RM, Latif AN, Al-Kuwari E, Jeremijenko A, Butt AA, Bertollini R, Al-Romaihi HE, Al-Thani MH, Abu-Raddad LJ. Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants, age, vaccination, and prior infection on infectiousness of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Front Immunol 2022; 13:984784. [PMID: 36177014 PMCID: PMC9513583 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.984784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2021, Qatar experienced considerable incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection that was dominated sequentially by the Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants. Using the cycle threshold (Ct) value of an RT-qPCR-positive test to proxy the inverse of infectiousness, we investigated infectiousness of SARS-CoV-2 infections by variant, age, sex, vaccination status, prior infection status, and reason for testing in a random sample of 18,355 RT-qPCR-genotyped infections. Regression analyses were conducted to estimate associations with the Ct value of RT-qPCR-positive tests. Compared to Beta infections, Alpha and Delta infections demonstrated 2.56 higher Ct cycles (95% CI: 2.35-2.78), and 4.92 fewer cycles (95% CI: 4.67- 5.16), respectively. The Ct value declined gradually with age and was especially high for children <10 years of age, signifying lower infectiousness in small children. Children <10 years of age had 2.18 higher Ct cycles (95% CI: 1.88-2.48) than those 10-19 years of age. Compared to unvaccinated individuals, the Ct value was higher among individuals who had received one or two vaccine doses, but the Ct value decreased gradually with time since the second-dose vaccination. Ct value was 2.07 cycles higher (95% CI: 1.42-2.72) for those with a prior infection than those without prior infection. The Ct value was lowest among individuals tested because of symptoms and was highest among individuals tested as a travel requirement. Delta was substantially more infectious than Beta. Prior immunity, whether due to vaccination or prior infection, is associated with lower infectiousness of breakthrough infections, but infectiousness increases gradually with time since the second-dose vaccination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suelen H. Qassim
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation – Education City, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Patrick Tang
- Department of Pathology, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hiam Chemaitelly
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation – Education City, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Houssein H. Ayoub
- Mathematics Program, Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hadi M. Yassine
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hebah A. Al-Khatib
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Maria K. Smatti
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hanan F. Abdul-Rahim
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Gheyath K. Nasrallah
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | | | - Peter Coyle
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queens University, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Adeel A. Butt
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
- Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
| | | | | | | | - Laith J. Abu-Raddad
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation – Education City, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- *Correspondence: Laith J. Abu-Raddad,
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
de Michelena P, Olea B, Torres I, González‐Candelas F, Navarro D. SARS-CoV-2 RNA load in nasopharyngeal specimens from outpatients with breakthrough COVID-19 due to Omicron BA.1 and BA.2. J Med Virol 2022; 94:5836-5840. [PMID: 35986484 PMCID: PMC9537928 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
This retrospective observational study compared severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA load in nasopharyngeal specimens (NPs) from patients with breakthrough coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the Omicron BA.1 or BA.2 sublineages. The convenience sample was composed of 277 outpatients (176 female/112 male; median age, 48 years; range, 12-97) with breakthrough COVID-19 (n = 130 due to BA.1 and n = 147 due to BA.2). All participants had completed a full vaccination schedule and 56% had received a booster vaccine dose at the time of COVID-19 breakthrough microbiological diagnosis. NPs were collected within 7 days (median 2 days) after symptom onset. The TaqPath COVID-19 Combo Kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific) was used to estimate viral loads in NPs. Overall, viral RNA loads in NPs were comparable (p = 0.31) for BA.1 (median, 7.1 log10 copies/ml; range, 2.7-10.6) and BA.2 (median, 7.5 log10 copies/ml; range, 2.7-10.6), yet peak viral load appeared to be reached sooner for BA.2 than for BA.1 (Day 1 vs. Days 3-5; p = 0.002). Time elapsed since last vaccine dose had no significant impact on SARS-CoV-2 RNA loads in the upper respiratory tract (URT) for either BA.1 or BA.2. The data presented do not support that the transmissibility advantage of BA.2 over BA.1 is related to generation of higher viral loads in the URT early after infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula de Michelena
- Microbiology Service, Clinic University HospitalINCLIVA Health Research InstituteValenciaSpain
| | - Beatriz Olea
- Microbiology Service, Clinic University HospitalINCLIVA Health Research InstituteValenciaSpain
| | - Ignacio Torres
- Microbiology Service, Clinic University HospitalINCLIVA Health Research InstituteValenciaSpain
| | - Fernando González‐Candelas
- Joint Research Unit Infection and Public Health FISABIO‐University of ValenciaInstitute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio, UV‐CSIC) and CIBER in Epidemiology and Public HealthValenciaSpain
| | - David Navarro
- Microbiology Service, Clinic University HospitalINCLIVA Health Research InstituteValenciaSpain,Department of Microbiology, School of MedicineUniversity of ValenciaValenciaSpain
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chemaitelly H, Ayoub HH, Coyle P, Tang P, Yassine HM, Al-Khatib HA, Smatti MK, Hasan MR, Al-Kanaani Z, Al-Kuwari E, Jeremijenko A, Kaleeckal AH, Latif AN, Shaik RM, Abdul-Rahim HF, Nasrallah GK, Al-Kuwari MG, Butt AA, Al-Romaihi HE, Al-Thani MH, Al-Khal A, Bertollini R, Abu-Raddad LJ. Protection of Omicron sub-lineage infection against reinfection with another Omicron sub-lineage. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4675. [PMID: 35945213 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32363-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
There is significant genetic distance between SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant BA.1 and BA.2 sub-lineages. This study investigates immune protection of infection with one sub-lineage against reinfection with the other sub-lineage in Qatar during a large BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron wave, from December 19, 2021 to March 21, 2022. Two national matched, retrospective cohort studies are conducted to estimate effectiveness of BA.1 infection against reinfection with BA.2 (N = 20,994; BA.1-against-BA.2 study), and effectiveness of BA.2 infection against reinfection with BA.1 (N = 110,315; BA.2-against-BA.1 study). Associations are estimated using Cox proportional-hazards regression models after multiple imputation to assign a sub-lineage status for cases with no sub-lineage status (using probabilities based on the test date). Effectiveness of BA.1 infection against reinfection with BA.2 is estimated at 94.2% (95% CI: 89.2-96.9%). Effectiveness of BA.2 infection against reinfection with BA.1 is estimated at 80.9% (95% CI: 73.1-86.4%). Infection with the BA.1 sub-lineage appears to induce strong, but not full immune protection against reinfection with the BA.2 sub-lineage, and vice versa, for at least several weeks after the initial infection.
Collapse
|
18
|
da Silva ES, Kohnen M, Gilson G, Staub T, Arendt V, Hilger C, Servais JY, Charpentier E, Domingues O, Snoeck CJ, Ollert M, Seguin-Devaux C, Perez-Bercoff D. Pre-Omicron Vaccine Breakthrough Infection Induces Superior Cross-Neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 Compared to Infection Alone. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:7675. [PMID: 35887023 PMCID: PMC9320437 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 variants raise concern because of their high transmissibility and their ability to evade neutralizing antibodies elicited by prior infection or by vaccination. Here, we compared the neutralizing abilities of sera from 70 unvaccinated COVID-19 patients infected before the emergence of variants of concern (VOCs) and of 16 vaccine breakthrough infection (BTI) cases infected with Gamma or Delta against the ancestral B.1 strain, the Gamma, Delta and Omicron BA.1 VOCs using live virus. We further determined antibody levels against the Nucleocapsid (N) and full Spike proteins, the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the Spike protein. Convalescent sera featured considerable variability in the neutralization of B.1 and in the cross-neutralization of different strains. Their neutralizing capacity moderately correlated with antibody levels against the Spike protein and the RBD. All but one convalescent serum failed to neutralize Omicron BA.1. Overall, convalescent sera from patients with moderate disease had higher antibody levels and displayed a higher neutralizing ability against all strains than patients with mild or severe forms of the disease. The sera from BTI cases fell into one of two categories: half the sera had a high neutralizing activity against the ancestral B.1 strain as well as against the infecting strain, while the other half had no or a very low neutralizing activity against all strains. Although antibody levels against the spike protein and the RBD were lower in BTI sera than in unvaccinated convalescent sera, most neutralizing sera also retained partial neutralizing activity against Omicron BA.1, suggestive of a better cross-neutralization and higher affinity of vaccine-elicited antibodies over virus-induced antibodies. Accordingly, the IC50: antibody level ratios were comparable for BTI and convalescent sera, but remained lower in the neutralizing convalescent sera from patients with moderate disease than in BTI sera. The neutralizing activity of BTI sera was strongly correlated with antibodies against the Spike protein and the RBD. Together, these findings highlight qualitative differences in antibody responses elicited by infection in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. They further indicate that breakthrough infection with a pre-Omicron variant boosts immunity and induces cross-neutralizing antibodies against different strains, including Omicron BA.1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eveline Santos da Silva
- HIV Clinical and Translational Research Unit, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29 rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (E.S.d.S.); (J.-Y.S.); (C.S.-D.)
| | - Michel Kohnen
- Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, 4 rue Ernest Barblé, L-1210 Luxembourg, Luxembourg; (M.K.); (G.G.); (T.S.); (V.A.)
| | - Georges Gilson
- Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, 4 rue Ernest Barblé, L-1210 Luxembourg, Luxembourg; (M.K.); (G.G.); (T.S.); (V.A.)
| | - Therese Staub
- Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, 4 rue Ernest Barblé, L-1210 Luxembourg, Luxembourg; (M.K.); (G.G.); (T.S.); (V.A.)
| | - Victor Arendt
- Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, 4 rue Ernest Barblé, L-1210 Luxembourg, Luxembourg; (M.K.); (G.G.); (T.S.); (V.A.)
| | - Christiane Hilger
- Molecular and Translational Allergology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29 rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg;
| | - Jean-Yves Servais
- HIV Clinical and Translational Research Unit, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29 rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (E.S.d.S.); (J.-Y.S.); (C.S.-D.)
| | - Emilie Charpentier
- Clinical and Applied Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29 rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (E.C.); (C.J.S.)
| | - Olivia Domingues
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29 rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (O.D.); (M.O.)
| | - Chantal J. Snoeck
- Clinical and Applied Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29 rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (E.C.); (C.J.S.)
| | - Markus Ollert
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29 rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (O.D.); (M.O.)
| | - Carole Seguin-Devaux
- HIV Clinical and Translational Research Unit, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29 rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (E.S.d.S.); (J.-Y.S.); (C.S.-D.)
| | - Danielle Perez-Bercoff
- HIV Clinical and Translational Research Unit, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 29 rue Henri Koch, L-4354 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; (E.S.d.S.); (J.-Y.S.); (C.S.-D.)
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Tiecco G, Storti S, Arsuffi S, Degli Antoni M, Focà E, Castelli F, Quiros-Roldan E. Omicron BA.2 Lineage, the "Stealth" Variant: Is It Truly a Silent Epidemic? A Literature Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:7315. [PMID: 35806320 PMCID: PMC9266794 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The epidemic curve of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is silently rising again. Worldwide, the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC) is Omicron, and its virological characteristics, such as transmissibility, pathogenicity, and resistance to both vaccine- and infection-induced immunity as well as antiviral drugs, are an urgent public health concern. The Omicron variant has five major sub-lineages; as of February 2022, the BA.2 lineage has been detected in several European and Asian countries, becoming the predominant variant and the real antagonist of the ongoing surge. Hence, although global attention is currently focused on dramatic, historically significant events and the multi-country monkeypox outbreak, this new epidemic is unlikely to fade away in silence. Many aspects of this lineage are still unclear and controversial, but its apparent replication advantage and higher transmissibility, as well as its ability to escape neutralizing antibodies induced by vaccination and previous infection, are rising global concerns. Herein, we review the latest publications and the most recent available literature on the BA.2 lineage of the Omicron variant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Eugenia Quiros-Roldan
- Unit of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (G.T.); (S.S.); (S.A.); (M.D.A.); (E.F.); (F.C.)
| |
Collapse
|