Jeff Shaman, COVID-19 Virtual Symposium: April 8, 2020

Jeff Shaman, PhD, "Direct observation of multiple sequential infections with endemic coronaviruses" The Shaman group conducted a large-scale longitudinal study of respiratory diseases during the 2017/2018 cold and flu season in New York. Volunteers were asked to fill out a comprehensive questionnaire daily, regardless of the presence of any symptoms, and underwent weekly nasal swabs that were tested for a panel of 18 respiratory viruses. This panel included several members of the genus betacoronavirus, to which the recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 belongs. Most infections detected in this cohort were due to either human rhinoviruses or coronaviruses, and coronavirus infections were associated with the lowest probability of seeking medical attention or staying at home. Importantly, Dr. Shaman’s group identified several instances of productive re-infection with the same type of coronavirus over the twelve-month testing period, often within comparatively short time frames. This indicates that immunity to coronaviruses either dissipates quickly or that the virus is capable of escaping the immune response. Waning immunity was also seen in SARS-CoV-1 infections. If this observation holds true for SARS-CoV-2, it will have major implications for the ability of that virus to persevere in the human population.