Virologic Features of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection in Children.
J Infect Dis
; 224(11): 1821-1829, 2021 12 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34647601
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Data on pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has lagged behind adults throughout the pandemic. An understanding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral dynamics in children would enable data-driven public health guidance.METHODS:
Respiratory swabs were collected from children with COVID-19. Viral load was quantified by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); viral culture was assessed by direct observation of cytopathic effects and semiquantitative viral titers. Correlations with age, symptom duration, and disease severity were analyzed. SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequences were compared with contemporaneous sequences.RESULTS:
One hundred ten children with COVID-19 (median age, 10 years [range, 2 weeks-21 years]) were included in this study. Age did not impact SARS-CoV-2 viral load. Children were most infectious within the first 5 days of illness, and severe disease did not correlate with increased viral loads. Pediatric SARS-CoV-2 sequences were representative of those in the community and novel variants were identified.CONCLUSIONS:
Symptomatic and asymptomatic children can carry high quantities of live, replicating SARS-CoV-2, 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.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Carga Viral
/
COVID-19
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Newborn
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Infect Dis
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos