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- Title
Virologic Features of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection in Children.
- Authors
Yonker, Lael M; Boucau, Julie; Regan, James; Choudhary, Manish C; Burns, Madeleine D; Young, Nicola; Farkas, Eva J; Davis, Jameson P; Moschovis, Peter P; Kinane, T Bernard; Fasano, Alessio; Neilan, Anne M; Li, Jonathan Z; Barczak, Amy K; Bernard Kinane, T
- Abstract
<bold>Background: </bold>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.<bold>Methods: </bold>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.<bold>Results: </bold>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.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>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.
- Subjects
COVID-19; WHOLE genome sequencing; SARS-CoV-2; GENETIC variation; SOCIAL distancing; ACTIVE aging; HERD immunity
- Publication
Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2021, Vol 224, Issue 11, p1821
- ISSN
0022-1899
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1093/infdis/jiab509