Durga Kulkarni, third-year PhD student, reflects on a productive phase of research marked by two published meta-analyses on SARS-CoV-2 reinfections and hMPV-associated infections. by Durga Kulkarni | PhD StudentI am currently in my third year of PhD studies and this research journey, like all research journeys, is focussed on generated evidence that impacts both practice and policy. During the last six months, I have published two scientific articles.The first is a systematic review and meta-analysis exploring the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 reinfections during the Omicron period in the Journal of Global Health. We observed that there was an increase of SARS-CoV-2 reinfections during the Omicron period compared to the pre-Omicron period. The reinfections were less severe in the Omicron period but data on long-term sequelae were lacking. The second is also a systematic review and meta-analysis that was published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity and reported on global estimates of human metapneumovirus-associated acute respiratory infections. This publication led to a linked podcast during which Prof. Harish Nair and I discussed the recent rise in hMPV cases, the study findings and the implications for surveillance and vaccines. Read Durga's publication in the Journal of Global HealthRead Durga's publication in The Lancet Healthy LongevityListen to "The Lancet Healthy Longevity in conversation with" podcast Publication date 14 Jul, 2025
