May 4, 2020

Direct Observation of Repeated Infections with Endemic Coronaviruses

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Transmission

• Galanti and Shaman demonstrate that reinfections with the same endemic coronaviruses (HKU1, 229E, NL63, and OC43) are not unusual within a >1 year time window. Analyzing data collected through proactive sampling (nasal swab and self-report) in NYC from fall 2016 to spring 2018, 12 out of the 191 participants experienced one or more reinfection, with time of reoccurrence ranging from 4 to 48 weeks. Reinfection was not associated with symptom severity, but was associated with belonging to the same family cluster. 

Galanti and Shaman. (May 3, 2020). Direct Observation of Repeated Infections with Endemic Coronaviruses. Pre-print downloaded May 4 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.27.20082032