Direct observation of repeated infections with endemic coronaviruses
Background Although the mechanisms of adaptive immunity to pandemic severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are still unknown, the immune response
to the widespread endemic coronaviruses HKU1, 229E, NL63, and OC43 provide a useful
reference for understanding repeat infection risk. Methods Here we used data from proactive
sampling carried out in New York City from fall 2016 to spring 2018. We combined weekly
nasal swab collection with self-reports of respiratory symptoms from 191 participants to …
respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are still unknown, the immune response
to the widespread endemic coronaviruses HKU1, 229E, NL63, and OC43 provide a useful
reference for understanding repeat infection risk. Methods Here we used data from proactive
sampling carried out in New York City from fall 2016 to spring 2018. We combined weekly
nasal swab collection with self-reports of respiratory symptoms from 191 participants to …
Background
Although the mechanisms of adaptive immunity to pandemic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are still unknown, the immune response to the widespread endemic coronaviruses HKU1, 229E, NL63, and OC43 provide a useful reference for understanding repeat infection risk.
Methods
Here we used data from proactive sampling carried out in New York City from fall 2016 to spring 2018. We combined weekly nasal swab collection with self-reports of respiratory symptoms from 191 participants to investigate the profile of recurring infections with endemic coronaviruses.
Results
During the study, 12 individuals tested positive multiple times for the same coronavirus. We found no significant difference between the probability of testing positive at least once and the probability of a recurrence for the betacoronaviruses HKU1 and OC43 at 34 weeks after enrollment/first infection. We also found no significant association between repeat infections and symptom severity, but found strong association between symptom severity and belonging to the same family.
Conclusions
This study provides evidence that reinfections with the same endemic coronavirus are not atypical in a time window shorter than 1 year and that the genetic basis of innate immune response may be a greater determinant of infection severity than immune memory acquired after a previous infection.
Oxford University Press