Virologic features of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children
| Autor: | Lael M. Yonker, Manish Chandra Choudhary, James Regan, Madeleine D. Burns, Jonathan Z. Li, Jameson P. Davis, Amy K. Barczak, Anne M. Neilan, Julie Boucau, T. Bernard Kinane, Peter P. Moschovis, Nicola Young, Eva J. Farkas, Alessio Fasano |
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| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2021 |
| Předmět: | |
| Zdroj: | medRxiv article-version (status) pre article-version (number) 1 |
| Popis: | BackgroundData on viral factors causing pediatric disease and guidance for pediatric-specific considerations have lagged behind adults throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As COVID-19 infections and deaths increase in the pediatric population, characterization of SARS-CoV-2 viral dynamics in children would enable data-driven public health guidance. MethodsNasal swabs collected from children with COVID-19 were analyzed. Viral load was quantified by RT-PCR; viral culture was assessed by direct observation of cytopathic effects and semiquantitative viral titers. Correlations with age or symptom duration were analyzed. SARS-CoV-2 whole genome amplification was compared with contemporaneous Massachusetts sequences to assess for clustering patterns. ResultsNinety-seven children with COVID-19 (median age 10 years, range 2 weeks-22 years) were included in this study. Age did not impact SARS-CoV-2 viral load in nasal secretions: children of all ages were equally likely to carry live, replicating virus. Children within the first five days of illness had higher viral loads and rates of culture positivity, and viral load in hospitalized children (n=30) did not differ from hospitalized adults (n=21) with similar duration of symptoms. While pediatric SARS-CoV-2 sequences were representative of those in the community, novel variants were identified. ConclusionsChildren can carry high quantities of live, replicating virus, creating a potential reservoir for transmission and evolution of genetic variants. As guidance around social distancing and masking evolves following vaccine uptake in older populations, a clear understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics in children is critical for rational development of public health policies and vaccination strategies to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. Key points- Infants, children and adolescents are equally capable of carrying live, replicating SARS-CoV-2 in their nasal secretions. - Respiratory secretions of infants, children and adolescents with COVID-19 are most infectious before symptoms develop and during the first five days of illness. - Children can harbor SARS-CoV-2 variants that could have implications for disease severity and vaccine efficacy. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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