2021 Project: University of Wisconsin—Madison

Impact of immune failure on SARS-CoV-2 evolutionary potential

What to know

The University of Wisconsin—Madison analyzed data of variants emerging in two Wisconsin regions (Dane County and Milwaukee County) with different demographics and various levels of socioeconomic vulnerability and demonstrated that vaccinated individuals can transmit SARS-CoV-2.

Decorative image with words "2021" and "SARS-CoV-2"

Findings on SARS-CoV-2 variant characteristics

This project:

  • Provided data on the impact of vaccines in community transmission. Awarded in 2021, the study focused on subpopulations who were at increased risk for immune failure and/or in whom cases of immune failure may have been most likely to be contracted1:
    • healthcare workers;
    • those who were infected despite vaccination; and
    • people living in high-density settings (prisons, homeless shelters, etc.)
  • Described evolution and development of a spike protein mutation during persistent infection with SARS-CoV-2.
  • Found that vaccinated individuals infected with Delta variants are capable of shedding infectious SARS-CoV-2 and can play a role in spreading COVID-192

New SARS-CoV-2 dashboards and websites

This project contributes to the state of Wisconsin SARS-CoV-2 (hCoV-19) Genomic Dashboard providing real-time results of genomic surveillance activity (https://dataportal.slh.wisc.edu/). In addition, the monthly Milwaukee Health Department Laboratory Clinical Laboratory Update includes SARS-CoV-2 sequencing surveillance data (https://city.milwaukee.gov/Health/Services-and-Programs/healthlab/monthly-Confirmed-Infections-R)

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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)
  1. Evolution of a globally unique SARS-CoV-2 Spike E484T monoclonal antibody escape mutation in a persistently infected, immunocompromised individual. Virus Evolution, 2022.
  2. Shedding of infectious SARS-CoV-2 despite vaccination. PloS Pathogens, 2022.