Clinical characteristics and severity of beta and delta variants of SARS-CoV-2 and the effect of vaccine on delta variants
Yahui Peng,
Wei Yang,
Yuxin Zhou,
Dongsheng Fei,
Kai Kang,
Xianglin Meng,
Mingyan Zhao,
Xiaomin Liu,
Shihuan Yu,
Feiyu Luan,
Xiaohui Ma,
Xiaonan Jia,
Wenjing Mu,
Changsong Wang,
Kaijiang Yu
Affiliations
Yahui Peng
Department of Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150001, China
Wei Yang
Department of Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150001, China
Yuxin Zhou
Department of Critical Care Medicine, Cancer Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150081, China
Dongsheng Fei
Department of Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150001, China
Kai Kang
Department of Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150001, China
Xianglin Meng
Department of Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150001, China
Mingyan Zhao
Department of Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150001, China
Xiaomin Liu
Respiratory Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150001, China
Shihuan Yu
Respiratory Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150001, China
Feiyu Luan
Surgical Emergency, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150001, China
Xiaohui Ma
Department of Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150001, China
Xiaonan Jia
Department of Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150001, China
Wenjing Mu
Department of Critical Care Medicine, Cancer Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150081, China
Changsong Wang
Department of Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150001, China; Department of Critical Care Medicine, Cancer Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150081, China; Corresponding author.
Kaijiang Yu
Department of Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province 150001, China; Corresponding author.
Background: The Delta variant of concern (VOC) is rapidly becoming the dominant strain globally. We report the clinical characteristics and severity of hospitalized patients infected with Delta and Beta VOCs during the local outbreak in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China, and the effect of vaccines on the Delta variant. Methods: We collected a total of 735 COVID-19 patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, including 96 cases infected with the Delta VOC and 639 cases infected with the Beta VOC. Demographic, clinical characteristic and laboratory findings were collected and compared. Results: Differences in viral shedding, IgG and IgM levels, and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were noted between the Delta and Beta VOCs (p < 0.05). Survival analysis of the two groups revealed longer viral shedding of the Delta VOC (p < 0.05). For the Delta VOC, the longer the vaccination period, the lower the IgG and IgM levels. IgM levels were higher in the convalescent plasma group, whereas lymphocyte counts were lower. Conclusions: Delta VOC virus shedding was longer compared with Beta VOC shedding. Vaccination with inactivated vaccines can reduce the severe illness rate of the Delta VOC. IgG and IgM levels are reduced as the time period between the first and second vaccine doses increases.
