Coronavirus (COVID-19) Collection
Relapsing COVID-19 infection as a manifestation of Good's syndrome: a case report and literature review
IntroductionTime from last immunity event against infection during Omicron-dominant period in Malaysia
The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) and its prominent sublineages continue to be the dominant strains (>98%) circulating globally since February 2022 [1–3]. The spike mutations of Omicron resulted in higher viral transmissibility and capability to escape neutralizing antibodies from vaccinated sera [4]. Immune evasion is evident because a higher number of breakthrough and reinfection cases were observed during the Omicron-dominant period [5,6]. Symptomatic COVID-19 cases increased as studies found moderate booster effectiveness against Omicron infection, whereas the effectiveness against severe outcomes was largely preserved [7,8].Post-acute symptoms 3-15 months after COVID-19 among unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals with a breakthrough infection
Vaccination represents the most important strategy to prevent infection, severe complications, and death caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Feikin et al., 2022). SARS-CoV-2 vaccination may also reduce the risk of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) (Antonelli et al., 2022; Azzolini et al., 2022; Kuodi et al., 2022), but conflicting results have been presented (Taquet et al., 2022). We aimed to describe self-reported PASC symptoms, including memory and concentration problems, changes in smell and taste, fatigue, and dyspnea, persisting 3-15 months after a positive test in SARS-CoV-2 unvaccinated and vaccinated participants with a breakthrough infection.Clinical outcomes associated with Mu variant infection during the third epidemic peak of COVID-19 in Colombia
By July 2022, four COVID-19 epidemic peaks and 210 lineages have been registered in Colombia, including several variants of interest and concern (INS, 2022). However, a higher number of cases and deaths occurred during the third epidemic peak, when the B.1.621 (Mu) variant was associated with 50% of the cases in the country (Álvarez-Díaz et al., 2022a). Although several factors in the clinical history of patients with COVID-19 have been associated with a severe or fatal outcome, including comorbidities, age, and smoking history (Zhang et al.SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission in a twin-pregnant woman: a case report
SARS-CoV-2 represents one of the most threatening infections in the last century, affecting millions of people worldwide (World Health Organization, 2020) ( covid19.who.int ).Effectiveness of messenger RNA vaccines against infection with SARS-CoV-2 during the periods of Delta and Omicron variant predominance in Japan: the Vaccine Effectiveness, Networking, and Universal Safety (VENUS) study
Vaccination against infection with SARS-CoV-2 in the general population of Japan began on April 12, 2021, and booster vaccination (the third dose) began on December 1, 2021. The Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant was gradually replaced by the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant beginning in June 2021, and the Delta variant accounted for approximately 80% of infections in Japan in August 2021 (National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 2021). The Delta variant predominated until the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant surged in January 2022 (National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 2022; Ode et al.Acute asthma exacerbation due to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccine [ComirnatyⓇ])
The most common adverse reactions of the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine (ComirnatyⓇ) were local reactions at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, and fever (Thomas et al., 2021). A serious allergic reaction involved anaphylaxis, but the incidence was very low, and other allergic reactions have been uncertain. We herein report a patient who developed acute asthma exacerbation after receiving the third dose of the BNT16b2 vaccine, who was considered likely to have been sensitized to the BNT16b2 vaccine during repeated vaccination.The first case of meningitis associated with SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 variant infection with persistent viremia
Neurological symptoms of COVID-19 are highly frequent and disabling (Wan et al., 2021). Severe neurological disorders such as encephalitis, meningitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and vascular events have been described in anecdotal reports or in case series. Here, we describe the first case of a female patient infected with the SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 Omicron variant of concern (VoC) meningitis with newly diagnosed central demyelinating disease.Critical pediatric neurological illness associated with COVID-19 (Omicron BA.2.3.7 variant) infection in Taiwan: immunological assessment and viral genome analysis in tertiary medical center
Since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, people all around the world have continued to fight it (Jian et al., 2022). However, as the virus evolves, more variants of concern have been reported (Chung et al., 2022). Patients with COVID-19 infection have also experienced neurological symptoms during the course of the infection (Nordvig et al., 2021). However, severe neurological complications have tended to be more common in children recently (Dilber et al., 2021; Valderas et al., 2022).Simultaneous co-infection with Omicron (B.1.1.529) and Delta (21A/478K.V1) SARS-CoV-2 variants confirmed by whole genome sequencing
The national data of the epidemiological survey of COVID-19 variants carried out in France has shown a predominance of the Delta variant (21A/478K.V1) since June 29, 2021 (Santé publique France 2021). Since the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) was first reported (WHO, 2021), it has rapidly spread worldwide. Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant compared with other variants of concern (VOCs) (WHO, 2021) but no simultaneous co-infection. We described herein a case of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Delta VOCs co-infection, confirmed by whole genome sequencing (WGS).Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 circulation using saliva testing in school children in Rome, Italy
Since October 2020, the identification of suspected cases and contact tracing in the Lazio region have been supported by active surveillance initiatives in schools through antigen tests performed mainly on saliva (Bordi et al., 2021; Iwasaki et al., 2020). For the school year 2021-2022, the National Plan implemented the “Plan for monitoring of the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in primary and lower secondary schools”. The Laboratory of Virology of the National Institute for Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani” was involved in the screening of saliva samples collected from students belonging to the local surveillance unit (ASL) RM3 of Rome.SARS-CoV-2 dual infection with Delta and Omicron variants in an immunocompetent host: a case report
Dual infections (those caused by two different viral variants) have been described with RNA viruses but are rare among respiratory viral infections (Calistri et al., 2011; Myers et al., 2011). For SARS-CoV-2, few cases of dual infection have been reported, despite an extremely high number of persons being infected worldwide (Francisco et al., 2021; Pedro et al., 2021; Roychoudhury et al., 2022; Samoilov et al., 2021; Vankeerberghen et al., 2021). However, pinning down these cases is complicated; they can be identified with higher probability during the transition from dominance of one SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern to another in the population.Acute encephalopathy in a 6-year-old child with concurrent COVID-19 infection: a case report from Saudi Arabia
Although the primary target of SARS-CoV-2 is the respiratory system, neurologic manifestations, including encephalopathy, have been reported in some patients (Akın et al., 2021; Lin et al., 2021; McAbee et al., 2020; Singh et al., 2022; Vraka et al., 2021). The first case of meningoencephalitis associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection was reported in an adult patient in March 2020, with a positive specific SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (Poyiadji et al., 2020). Since then, only a few case reports have described the association of COVID-19 with encephalopathy or encephalitis in children (Gaughan et al.Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in a young adult successfully treated with plasmapheresis, immunoglobulins, and corticosteroids: a case report
A novel condition named multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) has raised alarm the worldwide, as it mainly affects children and leads to severe illness and long-term effects (Jiang et al., 2020). Usually, it presents 2 to 6 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection with fever, abdominal symptoms, acute cardiac injury, and shock and it has similarities with severe forms of Kawasaki disease (KD) (Feldstein et al., 2020). However, a multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) occurs more rarely than a multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and mainly in young adults.Chronic active Epstein-Barr exacerbated by COVID-19 co-infection
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the human Herpesviridae family (Dunmire et al., 2018). It infects over 90% of adults worldwide. Typically, it is transmitted through the oral route through the exchange of saliva, where it targets B-cells and epithelial cells in the tonsils. It then undergoes an incubation where it sheds intermittently into the blood and saliva. When the immune system tries to neutralize it, the virus becomes latent and remains in B-cells for the individual's lifetime (Dunmire et al., 2018).Validation of the NeuMoDx™ SARS-CoV-2 assay with COPAN eNAT® and E&O Viral PCR Sample Solution collection media types in comparison with other validated SARS-CoV-2 RNA assays
Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA are the gold standard for diagnosis because of their high sensitivity and specificity (Park et al., 2020). Assay validation during the pandemic was challenging because of the need for rapid implementation of novel tests (Vandenberg et al., 2021).Admissions to a large tertiary care hospital and Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction positivity: primary, contributing, or incidental COVID-19
Monitoring national hospitalization rates for COVID-19 has been essential throughout the pandemic to guide public health decision-making and to evaluate vaccine efficacy. However, with the rapid worldwide spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant of concern (associated with a decreased severity) and increasing immunity against SARS-CoV-2, interpreting the true impact of these hospitalization rates has been complicated (Viana et al., 2022; World Health Organization, 2021).Assessing the proportion of the Danish population at risk of clinically significant drug-drug interactions with new oral antivirals for early treatment of COVID-19
Infection with SARS-CoV-2 usually causes mild to moderate respiratory disease. However, elderly patients and those with underlying chronic medical conditions are at high risk of progressing to severe COVID-19 (Ko et al., 2021; Thakur et al., 2021).Is a single dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV‐19 vaccine (AZD1222) enough for people with prior SARS‐CoV‐2 infection or baseline seropositive status?
At present, the most effective strategy against the COVID-19 pandemic is to reach a point where the majority of the population is immune, either from natural infection or vaccination. Complete vaccination is a herculean task in a populous country such as India due to limited vaccine availability. Two doses are needed for most vaccines, where the second dose acts as a booster. Alternatively, SARS-CoV-2 infection could act as a natural vaccine (Prime dose) after which, one dose could act as a booster dose and may give adequate immunity.A metropolitan-scale, three-dimensional agent-based model to assess the effectiveness of the COVID-19 Omicron wave interventions in a hyperdense city: a case study of Hong Kong
Despite its stringent containment measures, Hong Kong has experienced a most challenging COVID-19 wave due to the Omicron variant (Mallapaty, 2022). Implementing a citywide ‘compulsory universal testing’ (CUT) and a citywide lockdown was a subject of debate in March 2022 (South China Morning Post, 2022).Humoral and adaptive immune responses to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine
Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 prevent infection and adverse outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 (Olliaro et al., 2021). Elicitation of high affinity and durable protective antibody responses is a hallmark of a successful humoral immune response to vaccination (Turner et al., 2021). Antibody responses decline sharply at six months, particularly after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines (Collier et al., 2021). A recent study showed that after 20 weeks or more, the vaccination with two doses is effective against COVID-19–related hospitalization and death with a waning of the clinical protection in older adults and fragile/co-morbid patients (Andrews et al., 2022).SARS-CoV-2 intra-host evolution during prolonged infection in an immunocompromised patient
During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, several cases of prolonged infections were reported in immunosuppressed patients (Dolan et al., 2021). Most of these cases revealed an intra-host viral evolution, which allows the virus to accumulate mutations faster than during normal inter-host transmission (Avanzato et al., 2020; Leung et al., 2022). During these prolonged infections, SARS-CoV-2 can acquire mutations at key epitopes in the Spike (S) protein, potentially affecting virus replication, infectivity, and antigenicity, which are common to the variants of concern (VOCs) (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 2022).Invasive Pneumococcal Disease diminish during the onset of COVID-19 in Japan between 2019 and 2022
Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) at a patient's sterile site, including the cerebrospinal fluid and blood, and commonly presents with septicemia, meningitis, and pneumonia (Dowell et al., 2003). In Japan, both children and older individuals receive public support for pneumococcal vaccination. Pneumococcal vaccine coverage has been increased since the launch of the vaccine program (Naito et al., 2020).Risk Factors Associated with Severe/Critical COVID-19 in People Living with HIV-1
Risk factors have been described as associated with severe forms of COVID-19 (Zhang et al., 2020). Persons living with HIV-1 (PLWH1) often carry such comorbidities. As shown by Bhaskaran et al (2021), PLWH1 are at a greater risk of developing a severe form of COVID-19. Our objective was to determine the characteristics associated with the development of a severe or critical form of COVID-19 in a cohort of PLWH1 who were followed up at the Bichat-Claude Bernard University Hospital in Paris, France.Genomic evidence of co-identification with Omicron and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants: a report of two cases
A new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant of concern (VOC) assigned to the lineage B.1.1.529, designated as Omicron, was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by South African scientists on November 24, 2021 (World Health Organization, 2021). The first cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection caused by the Omicron variant were reported to originate from Botswana and South Africa (World Health Organization, 2021). In Belgium, the first case of SARS-CoV-2 infection caused by the Omicron variant was identified in late November 2021 (Vanmechelen et al., 2022).
