According to scientists, a man in a critical condition who fights is the first case of re-infection with a coronavirus variant that was first detected in South Africa.
The 58-year-old patient with a history of asthma was tested positive for the virus in September. He had a fever and breathing problems, but recovered within a few days and tested negative twice the following month, scientists write in an article recently published in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
More than 100 days later, he developed symptoms and tested positive again. Sequence reveals several mutations characteristic of the B.1.351 variant, which alter the surface peak proteins. A week later, the man’s condition deteriorated and he had to get ventilation.
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Scientists said the strain behind the first positive test was not available for sequencing, although they noted that the case originated before the strain in South Africa and months before it was detected in France.
“This is, to our knowledge, the first description of re-infection with the South African SARS-CoV-2 VOC 501Y.V2 causing severe COVID-19, four months after a first mild infection,” study authors wrote .
The strain has caused considerable concern as it has increased transmissibility and reduced the effectiveness of vaccines. Several companies are now planning to use different shots to protect the tribes.
The team of French researchers said ‘re-infections have been described but are rare, though probably underestimated’, and due to surveillance it is difficult to confirm whether the researchers found the first true case of re-infection, according to the Washington Post.
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This strain has spread worldwide since the end of last year, and there are 17 cases in eight U.S. states, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Study authors say it is still ‘controversial’ whether previous infections can protect against re-infections.
“Our case illustrates that the 501Y.V2 SARS-CoV-2 variant may also be responsible for severe reinfections after a first mild infection with non-VOC SARS-CoV-2,” the study reads. “Further investigation is urgently needed to evaluate cross-immunity to VOC 501Y.V2, and to monitor the efficacy of the vaccine against new variants.”