A Bibliometric Analysis of the Prognostic Role of Proteomic Markers in Recurrent COVID-19 Infection

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented global challenges, with recurrent infections emerging as a significant concern in clinical and public health settings. Investigating the prognostic value of proteomic markers is crucial for enhancing understanding of disease recurrence, immune responses, and patient outcomes. This bibliometric analysis aimed to map the intellectual landscape, identify key contributors, and assess the impact of collaborative networks within this research domain. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in the Scopus database for publications on proteomic markers in recurrent COVID-19 infections from January 2020 to November 2024 using predefined search terms. Extracted data included countries, research disciplines, citation metrics, authorship networks, and keyword co-occurrences. Bibliometric mapping and network visualization were performed using VOSviewer to elucidate leading contributors, thematic clusters, and global research trends. Results: A total of 910 publications were retrieved, which revealed a peak in research on recurrent COVID-19 infections in 2021 (286 documents). The top 10 most-cited publications included those by Focosi D and Yassine HM (7 publications). Medicine was the most represented field, while neuroscience had the least number of publications (1.9%). Korber B emerged as the leading author with 2,823 citations. The USA and the UK were the top contributors to research on proteomic markers in recurrent COVID-19. “COVID-19” was the most frequently used keyword, and PNAS was the highestimpact journal (8 documents, 1,067 citations). The analysis also covers collaboration between coauthorship countries (United States, 247 documents, 12,967 citations, and a total link strength of 189) and citations by country (United States, 247 publications, 12,967 citations, and a link strength of 152). Discussion: Publication trends reflected a surge during the pandemic peak, driven by urgent global efforts to understand reinfections and immune mechanisms. The decline in publications post-2022 suggests a shift toward broader post-COVID-19 research topics. High-income countries dominated collaborative networks, whereas low- and middle-income regions were underrepresented, underscoring the need for more equitable global research participation. Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the current literature, identifies research gaps, and suggests directions for future investigations of proteomic markers for predicting recurrent COVID-19 outcomes. These insights serve to support researchers and policymakers in advancing diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic strategies for effectively managing recurrent infections.