Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 5, 2025
10:25
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies using High-Throughput Fluorescent Imaging of Pseudovirus Infection
Published on: June 5, 2021
5.0K
Genomic evidence for reinfection with SARS-CoV-2: a case study
Richard L Tillett1, Joel R Sevinsky2, Paul D Hartley3
1Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA; University of Nevada, Reno Center for Bioinformatics, Reno, NV, USA.
The Lancet. Infectious Diseases
|October 15, 2020
Summary
This study investigated a case of reinfection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Findings indicate that prior infection may not guarantee complete immunity, highlighting the need for continued precautions against COVID-19.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Genomics
Background:
- The protective immunity conferred by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is not fully understood.
- The possibility of reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 remains a significant question in public health.
Observation:
- A 25-year-old male experienced two distinct symptomatic episodes of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Genomic sequencing revealed significant genetic differences between the SARS-CoV-2 variants from each infection episode.
- The second infection presented with greater symptom severity compared to the initial infection.
Findings:
- Two confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections in the same individual, separated by negative tests.
- Genomic analysis demonstrated substantial divergence between the two viral strains, exceeding expected in vivo evolution.
- The case suggests reinfection with a genetically distinct SARS-CoV-2 strain occurred.
Implications:
- Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection may not confer complete or long-lasting immunity.
- Individuals should maintain protective measures against SARS-CoV-2 regardless of prior infection status.
- Understanding SARS-CoV-2 reinfection dynamics is crucial for effective vaccine development and public health strategies.
Related Concept Videos
00:57Viral Recombination
24.6K
Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.
24.6K
01:05Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs
17.6K
A single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP is a single nucleotide variation at a specific genomic position in a large population. It is the most prevalent type of sequence variation found in the human genome. Point mutations that occur in more than 1% of the population qualify as SNPs. These are present once every 1000 nucleotides on an average in the human genome. Replacement of a purine with another purine (A/G) or a pyrimidine with another pyrimidine (C/T) is known as a transition. In contrast,...
17.6K
00:36Viral Mutations
38.7K
A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material...
38.7K
02:33Retroviruses
14.1K
Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
14.1K