Impact of Omicron sublineage, natural and vaccine-derived immunity on SARS-CoV-2 subgenomic RNA abundance Öffentlichkeit

Su, Maxwell (Spring 2023)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/5t34sk871?locale=de
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Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 subgenomic RNA (sgRNA) are RNA transcripts produced during viral replication that indicate active infection or allow for identification of patients with a higher likelihood of transmission. sgRNA abundance has been systematically compared between SARS-CoV-2 variants, but no differences in relative abundance have been found. However, additional Omicron sublineages have appeared, and the link between sgRNA and prior immunity derived by vaccination or infection has not yet been established. For the current study, sgRNA was quantified by rRT-PCR in 246 clinical samples from symptomatic patients collected before the rollout of the bivalent Omicron booster and 94 clinical samples collected after the rollout. sgRNA was found to correlate with total viral RNA. Similar relative sgRNA abundance was demonstrated among Omicron sublineages, individuals from differing vaccination strata, individuals with and without previous COVID infection, and individuals with and without the bivalent booster. Thus, sgRNA detection can identify individuals with active viral replication regardless of sublineage or vaccination status. These data are consistent with current guidance on isolation for symptomatic individuals and indicate that prior immunity may not play a role in mitigating SARS-CoV-2 transmission in breakthrough infections. Participants may have been immunologically imprinted with ancestral variants, and the concept of the original antigenic sin should be explored further in relation to SARS-CoV-2.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................1

OBJECTIVES..............................................................................................................................4

METHODS.................................................................................................................................4

Clinical samples.........................................................................................................................4

Sample size calculation...............................................................................................................6

Molecular testing.......................................................................................................................6

Statistical analysis......................................................................................................................7

RESULTS....................................................................................................................................7

DISCUSSION..............................................................................................................................16

References.................................................................................................................................20

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