Re‐infection in COVID‐19: Do we exaggerate our worries?. (25th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arslan, Yusuf; Akgul, Fethiye; Sevim, Bunyamin; Varol, Zeynep Sedef; Tekin, Suda
• Is Part Of: European journal of clinical investigation. Volume 52:Number 6(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-03-25
• Subjects: coronavirus -- COVID‐19 -- re‐infection -- SARS‐CoV‐2 -- vaccination; Pathology -- Periodicals; Medical research -- Periodicals; 616.075
• DOI: 10.1111/eci.13767
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-2972

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Protective long‐term immunity following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is unclear. The study evaluated the relationship between the vaccination status and risk factors in the re‐infection of patients with a diagnosis of COVID‐19 who reported to the Public Health Management System in a province in south‐eastern Turkey. Methods: Patients with positive results for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by the real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) test in respiratory samples were defined as confirmed cases. Reinfection was diagnosed in cases with COVID‐19 real‐time RT‐PCR positivity, with or without COVID‐19–like symptoms, in at least 90 days after the first infection/disease. Results: A total of 58 811 patients with the diagnosis of COVID‐19 from March 11, 2020, to August 31, 2021, were included in the study. Re‐infection was detected in 421 (0.7%) of all patients. The mean age of the cases was 38.0±16.0 years, and 51% of them were female. Eight (2.0%) of the cases resulted in death due to re‐infection. No hospitalization or mortality was observed in fully vaccinated patients. Additionally, none of the mortal cases had completed the vaccination schedule. Conclusions: We are concerned that the re‐infection rates and mortality may increase due to new variant strains. Vaccination is the greatest weapon against progression to critical illness in re‐infections, even with existing mutations. Therefore, it is important for those without a full vaccination schedule to be vaccinated, even if they have been previously infected.