The mystery of COVID-19 reinfections: A global systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, reports on disparities in vaccine roll out alongside COVID-19 reinfection have been emerging. We conducted a systematic review to assess the determinants and disease spectrum of COVID-19 reinfection. Materials and methods A comprehensive search covering relevant databases was conducted for observational studies reporting Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) confirmed infection and reinfection cases. A quality assessment tool developed by the National Institute of Health (NIH) for the assessment of case series was utilized. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.3 for pooled proportions of findings in first infection and reinfection with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Eighty-one studies reporting 577 cases were included from 22 countries. The mean age of patients was 46.2 ± 18.9 years and 179 (31.0%) cases of comorbidities were reported. The average time duration between first infection and reinfection was 63.6 ± 48.9 days. During first infection and reinfection, fever was the most common symptom (41.4% and 36.4%, respectively) whilst anti-viral therapy was the most common treatment regimen administered (44.5% and 43.0%, respectively). Comparable odds of symptomatic presentation and management were reported for the two infections. However, a higher Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission rate was observed in reinfection compared to first infection (10 vs 3). Ten deaths were reported with respiratory failure being the most common cause of death (7/10 deaths). Conclusion Our findings support immunization practices given increased ICU admissions and mortality in reinfections. Our cohort serves as a guide for clinicians and authorities in devising an optimal strategy for controlling the pandemic. (249 words)

Epidemiological Assessment of Sars-Cov-2 Reinfection

“…It is interesting to note that this cohort of cases had mild symptoms or were asymptomatic (93.5%). This is comparable to results from a systemic review of reinfection cases, stating that 75% of cases were categorized as "mildly symptomatic" 11 . However, asymptomatic infection was 42.1% among fully vaccinated vs. 32.8% among those who were not vaccinated.…”

“…After genetic analysis, the authors concluded that the genetic variation between the two SARS-CoV-2 specimens was too signi cant to be explained by short-term in vivo evolution. Currently, there are over 900 studies published regarding reinfection in COVID-19 11 , highlighting the genuine possibility of reinfection that needs to be taken into account by researchers and policymakers.…”

Persistence of Naturally Acquired and Functional SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Blood Donors One Year after Infection

“…[ 13 ]. Furthermore, there is an increasing number of reports concerning the reinfection of people previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]. The actual numbers of SARS-CoV-2 infections are difficult to estimate due to asymptomatic or mild disease courses.…”

Reinfection by SARS CoV2 in Valle Del Cauca, Colombia: A Descriptive Retrospective Study

“…In those cases, there was a higher reinfection rate in older adults, which was also associated with an increase in pulmonary complications and hospital stays. 5 - 7 …”

“…Worldwide studies, carried out in more than 22 countries, have observed that there are significant differences in reinfection cases with respect to the initial infection, finding that 75% had mild symptoms and showing an increase in asymptomatic cases for second episode when compared to the first (9.2% vs 31.9%). 7 …”