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May 5, 2021
Evaluation of Potential COVID-19 Recurrence in Patients with Late Repeat Positive SARS-CoV-2 Testing
Among 23,176 patients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 in Utah between March and July 2020, 4 of 1,301 patients with at least one additional PCR test ≥60 days after the initial positive test were identified to have probable reinfection and 6 additional patients had possible reinfection. Reinfection was assessed using combined clinical and RT-PCR cycle threshold…
A High-Throughput Microfluidic Nanoimmunoassay for Detecting Anti–SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Serum or Ultralow-Volume Blood Samples
A microfluidic nanoimmunoassay to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies achieved a sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 100% based on an analysis of 134 pre-pandemic sera and 155 sera from PCR-confirmed individuals. The assay relies on a repurposed blood from a glucose test strip (finger prick) and other low-cost blood sampling methods to eliminate the need…
Salivary Testing of COVID-19: Evaluation of Serological Testing Following Positive Salivary Results
In a study including 46 patients who received a positive PCR test either by nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) or saliva swab and had recovered from asymptomatic and mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, 42 (91%) tested positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies after a median of 145 days of follow-up. Caulley et al. (May 4, 2021). Salivary Testing of COVID-19: Evaluation…
Identification of and Surveillance for the SARS-CoV-2 Variants B.1.427 and B.1.429 — Colorado, January–March 2021
The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.427/B.1.429 variant (aka CAL.20C), a variant of concern/interest (VOC/VOI) first described in California, was first detected in Colorado in late January 2021, and increased from 3-4% of all sequenced infections in late January to 20-22% in early March. Cases were dispersed across nearly half of counties. Among 60 cases who completed enhanced interviews,…
Viral Genomes Reveal Patterns of the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak in Washington State
The rapid spread of the D614G variant in Washington State was a result of multiple introductions into areas with different levels of ongoing lockdown, according to a phylogenetic analysis of 3940 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Washington State and county-level mobility data collected between February and July 2020. Sequences derived from out-of-state introductions were unevenly distributed, with…
Emergence and Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Lineages B.1.1.7 and P.1 in Italy
Analysis of 6,515 SARS-CoV-2 sequences sampled between January 2020 to March 2021 in Italy found that the previously dominant B.1.177 variant was replaced by the B.1.1.7 variant in January 2021. By the end of the sampling period, B.1.1.7 sequences comprised 34% of all sequences whereas B.1.177 comprised only 24%. Analysis of B.1.1.7 sequences indicated multiple…
May 4, 2021
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2: A Canary in the Coal Mine for Public Safety Net Hospitals
Among 350 women admitted for delivery at a safety net hospital in Maricopa County, Arizona in July 2020, women with refugee status (n=45) had a 2-fold higher prevalence of PCR-positive SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to nonrefugee patients (18% vs 9%). Johnson-Agbakwu et al. (Mar 21, 2021). Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2: A Canary in the Coal…
Modeling the Transmission of Covid-19. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice
A transmission model of a pre-K-12 US school setting found that even in the context of low community incidence of SARS-CoV-2, mitigation strategies and contact tracing with a net effectiveness of 27% could result in 75% of the school population being infected within 6 months. The model is based on the CDC COVIDTracer modeling tool….
Human Organoid Systems Reveal in Vitro Correlates of Fitness for SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7
[Pre-print, not peer-reviewed] In an in vitro human organoid system, the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant was shown to produce higher levels of infectious virus late in infection and higher replicative fitness in human airway, alveolar, and intestinal organoid models compared to the ancestral strain. Lamers et al. (May 3, 2021). Human Organoid Systems Reveal in Vitro Correlates…
Varicella-Zoster Virus Reactivation after SARS-Cov2 BNT162b2 MRNA Vaccination: Report of Five Cases
A series of 5 cases of herpes zoster reactivation were observed among a healthcare worker cohort in Spain that received at least the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (n=3,707) over a period of four weeks. Three patients presented with herpes zoster after the first dose, while two presented after the second dose. All patients…
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