Conclusion
Based on current diagnostic guidelines, re-infection associated with
mild symptoms was detected in 3 out of 82 patients; barring possible
false positive results. We cannot confirm re-infection without positive
viral cultures. We also believe that the quantity of antibodies that are
produced against this virus can be sustained longer than the initial
studies suggest, although the protective abilities of these antibodies
against infection with the same or a different subtype of the virus
needs to be studied further. The emergence of new vaccines against this
virus, is a considerable achievement with limited guaranteed outcomes,
because the intricacies of the long-term immune response against this
virus is not fully known, and further studies on cases of supposed
re-infection are needed to clarify the probability and underlying risk
factors of re-infection.
Declarations of interest: none