Genomic and epidemiologic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 persistent infections in California, January 2021 - July 2023.

ABSTRACT: Novel SARS-CoV-2 variants demonstrating considerable intra-host evolution emerged throughout the pandemic. The persistent infections thought to give rise to these variants, however, have been difficult to identify at scale. This study sought to detect and characterize persistent infection cases in California using routine epidemiologic and genomic surveillance data. We identified 69 persistent infection cases with collection dates between January 2021 and July 2023 ranging from 21 to 400 days in duration, with an average of 44 days. Significant differences were identified in age distribution, sex, hospitalizations, and deaths between persistent infection cases and all sequenced California SARS-CoV-2 cases. Underlying health conditions were identified for the majority of cases with availabl

SUBMITTER: Bell JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12614806 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature