SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection Is a New Challenge for the Effectiveness of Global Vaccination Campaign: A Systematic Review of Cases Reported in Literature

Lorenzo Lo Muzio, Mariateresa Ambosino, Eleonora Lo Muzio and Mir Faeq Ali Quadri
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Lorenzo Lo Muzio: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 70122 Foggia, Italy
Mariateresa Ambosino: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 70122 Foggia, Italy
Eleonora Lo Muzio: Department of Translational Medicine and for Romagna, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Mir Faeq Ali Quadri: Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan 82511, Saudi Arabia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 20, 1-56

Abstract: Reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 seems to be a rare phenomenon. The objective of this study is to carry out a systematic search of literature on the SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in order to understand the success of the global vaccine campaigns. A systematic search was performed. Inclusion criteria included a positive RT-PCR test of more than 90 days after the initial test and the confirmed recovery or a positive RT-PCR test of more than 45 days after the initial test that is accompanied by compatible symptoms or epidemiological exposure, naturally after the confirmed recovery. Only 117 articles were included in the final review with 260 confirmed cases. The severity of the reinfection episode was more severe in 92/260 (35.3%) with death only in 14 cases. The observation that many reinfection cases were less severe than initial cases is interesting because it may suggest partial protection from disease. Another interesting line of data is the detection of different clades or lineages by genome sequencing between initial infection and reinfection in 52/260 cases (20%). The findings are useful and contribute towards the role of vaccination in response to the COVID-19 infections. Due to the reinfection cases with SARS-CoV-2, it is evident that the level of immunity is not 100% for all individuals. These data highlight how it is necessary to continue to observe all the prescriptions recently indicated in the literature in order to avoid new contagion for all people after healing from COVID-19 or becoming asymptomatic positive.

Keywords: coronavirus; reinfection; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; systematic review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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