The Conundrum of Giglio Island: Unraveling the dynamics of an apparent resistance to COVID-19 – A descriptive study

Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal

Armando Schiaffino¹  Aldo Morrone²  Sabrina Strano³  Sara Donzelli³  Marta Rigoni⁴  Antonio Bognanni⁵  Giovanni Blandino⁵  Holger J Schünemann⁵  Greta E. Muti⁶  Giandomenico Nollo⁶  Domenico Solari⁷  Ilaria Celesti⁸  Paola Muti⁸  Elena Solari⁸  Serena Delbue⁹  Fulvia Pimpinelli^1,10  Giorgia Schiaffino^1,11  Gabriele Solari^1,12  Giovanna E.U. Muti Schünemann^1,13 

[1] Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, “Università degli Studi di Milano”, Milan, Italy;Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada;Clinical Pathology and Microbiology, San Gallicano Dermatologic Institute IRCCS, Rome, Italy;Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, “Università degli Studi di Milano”, Milan, Italy;Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada;Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy;Independent Health Professionist, Isola del Giglio, Grosseto, Italy;Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy;Tuscany Regional Health System – South Eastern Area (retired), Italy;Tuscany Regional Health System – South Eastern Area, Italy;Università di Pisa, Nursing School, Department of Clinical Health and Experimental Medicine, Pisa, Italy;Università di Pisa, School of Economic Sciences, Pisa, Italy;Università “Vita Salute” San Raffaele – International MD Program, Milan, Italy;

关键词: SARS-CoV-2;    COVID-19;    Giglio Island;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

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.

【 授权许可】

Unknown