Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/11375/26604
Title: | The Conundrum of Giglio Island: Unraveling the dynamics of an apparent resistance to COVID-19 – A descriptive study |
Authors: | Bognanni A Schiaffino A Pimpinelli F Donzelli S Celesti I Strano S Solari E Schiaffino G Solari G Solari D Delbue S Rigoni M Nollo G Muti GE Muti Schünemann GEU Schünemann HJ Blandino G Morrone A Muti P |
Keywords: | COVID-19;Giglio Island;SARS-CoV-2 |
Publication Date: | 2021 |
Publisher: | Elsevier BV |
Abstract: | Objectives: Despite an extensive risk of exposure to COVID-19, the residents of Giglio Island, Italy, did not develop any symptom of SARS-CoV-2. The present study aims to characterize the nature of exposure and to describe the local population dynamics underlying its apparent resistance to COVID-19. Methods: Descriptive study of an islander partially-segregated population cohort based on a seroprevalence screening conducted from Aprile 29 to May 3, 2020 and including SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and viral prevalence in samples of saliva assessed through RT-qPCR. Serologic testing was performed using a COVID-19 IgG/IgM rapid test while molecular analyses were carried out by Allplex 2019-nCoV Assay (Seegene). Results: A total of 634 residents out of 748 (84.8%) present at the time, and 89 non-residents underwent serological testing. 364 males and 359 females with a median age of 58.5 years. The serological screening identified one positive, asymptomatic subject. The Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT) did not yield any positive result. Conclusion: Despite extensive exposure to SARS-CoV-2, possibly only one new asymptomatic infection occurred in this population, as documented by IgM positivity not confirmed by RT-qPCR. This may be due to unknown protective factors or chance. On the basis of this baseline study, using its population as a reference model, further investigations will be conducted to test the advanced hypotheses, focusing on the evaluation of a possible cross-reactivity to SARS-CoV-2 from exposure to endemic viruses. |
metadata.dc.rights.license: | Attribution - CC BY |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11375/26604 |
metadata.dc.identifier.doi: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csbj.2021.02.008 |
ISSN: | 2001-0370 2001-0370 |
Appears in Collections: | Faculty Publications (via McMaster Experts) |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
---|---|---|---|---|
The Conundrum of Giglio Island Unraveling the dynamics of an apparent resistance to COVID-19 - A descriptive study.pdf | Published version | 368.84 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Items in MacSphere are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.