Release of infectious virus and cytokines in nasopharyngeal swabs from individuals infected with non-alpha or alpha SARS-CoV-2 variants: an observational retrospective study.
EBioMedicine
; 73: 103637, 2021 Nov.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1471944
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant shedding and immune responses at the nasal mucosa remain poorly characterised.METHODS:
We measured infectious viral release, antibodies and cytokines in 426 PCR+ nasopharyngeal swabs from individuals harboring non-alpha or alpha variants.FINDINGS:
With both lineages, viral titers were variable, ranging from 0 to >106 infectious units. Rapid antigenic diagnostic tests were positive in 94% of samples with infectious virus. 68 % of individuals carried infectious virus within two days after onset of symptoms. This proportion decreased overtime. Viable virus was detected up to 14 days. Samples containing anti-spike IgG or IgA did not generally harbor infectious virus. Ct values were slightly but not significantly lower with alpha. This variant was characterized by a fast decrease of infectivity overtime and a marked release of 13 cytokines (including IFN-b, IP-10 and IL-10).INTERPRETATION:
The alpha variant displays modified viral decay and cytokine profiles at the nasopharyngeal mucosae during symptomatic infection.FUNDING:
This retrospective study has been funded by Institut Pasteur, ANRS, Vaccine Research Institute, Labex IBEID, ANR/FRM and IDISCOVR, Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Nasopharynx
/
Cytokines
/
SARS-CoV-2
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Vaccines
/
Variants
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
English
Journal:
EBioMedicine
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.ebiom.2021.103637
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