Are SARS-CoV-2 reinfection and Covid-19 recurrence possible? a case report from Brazil

Abstract

With the large number of individuals infected and recovered from Covid-19, there is intense discussion about the quality and duration of the immunity elicited by SARS-CoV-2 infection, including the possibility of disease recurrence. Here we report a case with strong clinical, epidemiological and laboratorial evidence of, not only reinfection by SARS-CoV-2, but also clinical recurrence of Covid-19.

Clinical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 by re-infection vs. reactivation: a case series from Iran

“…Nevertheless, the SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection rapid test (IgG/IgM) was negative. IgG was detected on 19 th and 33 rd days after the new onset of symptoms [27].…”

Second COVID-19 infection in a patient with multiple myeloma in Brazil – reinfection or reactivation?

“…Second COVID-19 infection has been reported in few papers all of the world 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 and recently in Brazil. 5 However, considering the high number of recovered patients and rapidly spreading pandemic, it is crucial to highlight that reinfection and/ or reactivation are extremely rare events. Probably, these could be explained by immunity loss and/or high exposure of close contacts.…”

Impact of virus genetic variability and host immunity for the success of COVID-19 vaccines

“…Also, some cases of putative reinfection have been recently reported suggesting the possibility of waning immunity and arguing in favor of a decay in antibody titers overtime. Although reinfection is currently subject of intense debate, a number of studies has been reporting cases of a second episode of positive SARS-CoV-2 infection after recovery [ 97 ]. In some cases, the patient follow up was not well conducted and the appropriate control tests were not performed, casting doubt about a true reinfection and suggesting only a persistent virus shedding [ 98 ].…”