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Reinfection with SARS-CoV-2: An inconvenient truth?
Pedro Sonié1, Jorge Manuel-Silva2, Alexandra Rafael1
1Department of Family Medicine, Health Family Unit of Arco do Prado, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
|March 21, 2022
Summary
Antibody immunity to SARS-CoV-2 may wane, leading to potential COVID-19 reinfection. Two immunocompetent individuals experienced recurrent symptoms and positive tests, indicating reinfection is a possibility.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Antibody-related immunity against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) may not be long-lasting.
- Understanding the duration of immunity is crucial for public health strategies.
Observation:
- Two immunocompetent patients previously diagnosed with and recovered from COVID-19 presented with recurrent symptoms.
- Both cases exhibited a second positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test, indicating a new infection episode.
Findings:
- Case one involved a 60-year-old male with a biphasic symptom presentation.
- Case two involved a 25-year-old female initially testing positive during hospital screening, followed by a later symptomatic infection.
- Both patients had negative Anti-IgG-SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests during their recurrent illness, and elevated inflammatory markers suggested a new infection.
Implications:
- COVID-19 reinfection should be considered a differential diagnosis in patients presenting with recurrent symptoms.
- Primary care physicians must be aware of the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection.
- Previously infected individuals should continue adhering to public health preventive measures to minimize reinfection risk.
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