The Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, H-1122 Budapest, Hungary.
Department of Sports Medicine, Semmelweis University, H-1122 Budapest, Hungary.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Oct 24;19(21):13798. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192113798.
The actual frequency and the risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection is still a matter of intense scientific discussion. In this case series, we report three elite athletes who underwent COVID-19 reinfection with a short time frame.
As a part of contact tracing, three speed skaters (22-, 24-, and 29-year-old males) were found to be SARS-CoV-2 positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. Later on, only one of the athletes experienced mild symptoms, such as fatigue, loss of smell and taste and subfebrility, while the other two athletes were asymptomatic. Following the quarantine period, detailed return-to-play examinations, including laboratory testing, ECG, 24-h Holter monitoring, transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, revealed no apparent abnormality; therefore, the athletes restarted training. After a median of 74 days, all three athletes presented with typical symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, marked fatigue and headache. SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests were performed again, showing recurrent positivity. Repeated return-to-play assessments were initiated, finding no relevant abnormality. Athletes were also tested for SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleoprotein antibody titers, showing only modest increases following the second infection.
We report a small cluster of elite athletes who underwent a PCR-proven SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. According to these findings, athletes may be considered as a high-risk group in terms of recurrent COVID-19.
SARS-CoV-2 再感染的实际频率和危险因素仍在激烈讨论中。在本病例系列中，我们报告了三名短时间内发生 COVID-19 再感染的精英运动员。
作为接触者追踪的一部分，三名速滑运动员（22、24 和 29 岁男性）通过聚合酶链反应（PCR）检测呈 SARS-CoV-2 阳性。后来，只有一名运动员出现疲劳、嗅觉和味觉丧失以及低热等轻微症状，而另外两名运动员无症状。隔离期结束后，进行了详细的重返赛场检查，包括实验室检查、心电图、24 小时动态心电图监测、经胸超声心动图和心脏磁共振成像，均未发现明显异常；因此，运动员恢复了训练。中位数为 74 天后，所有三名运动员均出现 COVID-19 的典型症状，如发热、明显疲劳和头痛。再次进行 SARS-CoV-2 PCR 检测，显示再次呈阳性。再次启动重返赛场评估，未发现相关异常。还对运动员进行了 SARS-CoV-2 核蛋白抗体滴度检测，第二次感染后仅略有增加。
我们报告了一小群经 PCR 证实的 SARS-CoV-2 再感染的精英运动员。根据这些发现，运动员可能是 COVID-19 复发性感染的高风险人群。
