Does common cold coronavirus infection protect against severe SARS-CoV-2 disease?
David K. Meyerholz, Stanley Perlman
David K. Meyerholz, Stanley Perlman
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Does common cold coronavirus infection protect against severe SARS-CoV-2 disease?

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to cause morbidity and mortality. Since SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified as the cause for COVID-19, some have questioned whether exposure to seasonal common cold coronaviruses (CCCs) could provide tangible protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection or disease. In this issue of the JCI, Sagar et al. examined SARS-CoV-2 infections and outcomes of patients who had previously tested positive or negative for CCC infection (CCC+ or CCC–) by a comprehensive respiratory panel using PCR. No differences were seen between groups in terms of susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, hospitalized patients with a documented history of CCC infection had lower rates of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and higher rates of survival than hospitalized CCC– patients. While these findings are associative and not causative, they highlight evidence suggesting that previous CCC infection may influence the disease course of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Authors

David K. Meyerholz, Stanley Perlman

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Figure 1

Exposure to common cold coronavirus (CCC) infection may influence the disease course of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

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Exposure to common cold coronavirus (CCC) infection may influence the di...
Sagar et al. (8) grouped COVID-19 patients according to documented infection with common cold coronavirus (CCC– and CCC+). Patients with subsequent SARS-CoV-2+ infection were studied to determine whether CCC exposure influenced SARS-CoV-2 disease severity. Previous CCC+ diagnosis was associated with reduced ICU admissions and death in hospitalized patients.