A common theory behind increased RSV cases numbers among children after the end of Covid lockdowns was “immunity debt”. In this fascinating analysis now in @CIDJournal, another explanation emerges--vastly increased testing, esp of older kids. @sabeti_lab doi.org/10.1093/cid/ci…
@PaulSaxMD @CIDJournal @sabeti_lab Whilst increased testing certainly explains some of the excess, it does not explain all of it, nor the unseasonal resurgences seen in multiple countries, nor the substantial resurgences in other infections eg GAS, Adenovirus, Mycoplasma, etc
@PaulSaxMD @CIDJournal @sabeti_lab It's usually the boring stuff Testing behaviors Change in definitions Rarely biologic Follow up question is does more testing help anything I'd reckon no
@PaulSaxMD @CIDJournal @sabeti_lab Gives new meaning to the adage, "If you don't want to find a fever, don't check a temperature."
@PaulSaxMD @CIDJournal @sabeti_lab The most powerful way to approach this question would be a prospective cohort study in my opinion.
@PaulSaxMD @CIDJournal @sabeti_lab An increase in testing didn’t eplain it all in this study (explained 70%) & didn’t explain it in other settings like ours- where there was no doubt a real increase in hospitalizations & in older age children thelancet.com/journals/lanch…
@PaulSaxMD @CIDJournal @sabeti_lab immunity debt 1- never clearly demonstrated 2- debunked by the fourth season with high rsv circulation happy that finally a major journal highlights - at least a bit, not that strongly - different views
@PaulSaxMD @CIDJournal @sabeti_lab What’s this “immunity debt” thing? I never heard of it in medical school. Is it a real thing, or it’s just the usual COVID grifter bullshit?