Infections take significantly longer – healing practice

–

SARS-CoV-2 survives up to two months with immunosuppression

Infections with the new coronavirus SARS-Cov-2 usually last significantly longer in immunosuppressed patients and patents, report US oncologists. Those affected, whose immune system was weakened by suppressing the immune system, had infectious SARS-CoV-2 pathogens in their body for up to 61 days after the onset of COVID-19.

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine in New York City documented in 20 cancer patients with COVID-19 with a weakened immune system that infectious SARS-Cov-2 viruses were detectable in smears for up to 61 days after the onset of the disease. Tests for the virus RNA even remained positive for up to 78 days. The research report was recently published in the renowned “New England Journal of Medicine” presented.

Suppressed immune system ensures long-term contagion

So far, little is known about how long immunocompromised patients who are infected with the SARS-Cov-2 coronavirus are contagious. The doctors at the Icahn School of Medicine now have well-documented case data suggesting that people with immunosuppression could be contagious for much longer.

What is immunosuppression?

Doctors speak of immunosuppression when a person’s own immune system is suppressed. This can either be the result of an illness or increased stress or be used specifically as a therapy, for example after an organ transplant or in various autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, pulmonary fibrosis or multiple sclerosis.

SARS-Cov-2 outbreak in the special department

18 sufferers who were treated at the Icahn School of Medicine in spring 2020 became infected with SARS-CoV-2 after a stem cell transplant or CAR-T cell therapy. In both treatments, the immune system was suppressed with the help of certain drugs (cytostatics). Two other sufferers who had immunosuppression due to lymphoma also contracted SARS-Cov-2.

Who was examined?

Of a total of 20 people who were infected with SARS-Cov-2 in the special department at the Icahn School of Medicine, 15 received chemotherapy during the infection, which suppresses the formation of immune cells in the bone marrow. 11 of the 20 cases had a severe course of COVID-19. The team around the infectiologist Mini Kamboj documented the course exactly.

Immunosuppressed people particularly long contagious?

During the disease phase, 57 throat swabs and 18 isolates were checked for infectious viruses. In addition, the genome of the viruses was sequenced in 18 isolates. The results show that the viral RNA was detectable up to 78 days after the onset of symptoms. Infectious viruses that could be reproduced in cell cultures were detected in some of those affected up to 61 days after the onset of the disease.

No antibody formation with immunosuppression

In the three affected people with the longest detection of infectious viruses, the immune system was significantly weakened due to a stem cell transplant or CAR-T cell therapy. Antibody tests showed that the sick were unable to produce antibodies against SARS-Cov-2.

These

Overall, the data indicate that people with a weakened immune system, especially those with immunosuppression, are contagious for significantly longer than those with healthy immune systems. According to the current state of knowledge, the infectiousness of people who have become infected with SARS-CoV-2 decreases significantly after ten days at the latest with light and moderate illnesses. For information on contagiousness in healthy people, see the article: Coronavirus transmission: when is the risk of infection highest? (vb)