The Journal of infectious diseases
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We analyzed 21 676 residual specimens from Ontario, Canada collected March-August 2020 to investigate the effect of antibody decline on SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence estimates. Testing specimens orthogonally using Abbott (anti-nucleocapsid) and Ortho (anti-spike) assays, seroprevalence estimates were 0.4%-1.4%, despite ongoing disease activity. ⋯ Association between the 2 tests decreased each month (P < .001), suggesting anti-nucleocapsid antibody decline. Lowering Abbott antibody index cutoff from 1.4 to 0.7 resulted in a 16% increase in positive specimens.
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Influenza vaccination has been suggested to protect against death and recurrent events among patients with cardiovascular disease or chronic obstructive respiratory disease, but there is limited evidence in older adults, who have higher risks of influenza-associated hospitalization and mortality. ⋯ Influenza vaccination protected against hospitalization outcomes among older adults with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases.
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There is limited information on the association between upper respiratory tract (URT) viral loads, host factors, and disease severity in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. ⋯ URT viral load could be used to identify patients at higher risk for morbidity or severe outcome.