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Published on: August 7, 2017
Family COVID-19 cluster analysis of an infant without respiratory symptoms
Myrela Conceição Santos de Jesus1, Alexandra Giovanna Aragão Lima2, Victor Santana Santos3
1Programa de Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu em Microbiologia e Parasitologia Aplicadas, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brasil.
Insights
Diagnosing COVID-19 without respiratory symptoms is difficult. This study details a child"s COVID-19 diagnosis via abdominal pain and diarrhea, followed by family cluster tracking and antibody testing.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Viral diagnostics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Accurate diagnosis of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is crucial for effective public health management.
- Non-respiratory presentations of COVID-19, particularly in children, can complicate early identification and treatment.
Observation:
- A pediatric case of COVID-19 was identified presenting primarily with gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain and diarrhea.
- The initial case prompted an investigation into a potential family cluster of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Findings:
- The index case tested positive for COVID-19 via real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
- Serological testing revealed that three additional family members had developed anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, indicating past infection.
- This family cluster highlights the diverse clinical manifestations of COVID-19.
Implications:
- The findings underscore the importance of considering COVID-19 in pediatric patients with unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Recognizing non-traditional symptomology is vital for comprehensive disease surveillance and control efforts.
- Family contact tracing and serological surveys are valuable tools for understanding viral transmission dynamics.
Abstract:
Diagnosing cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with only non-respiratory symptoms has been challenging. We reported the diagnosis of a child who tested positive for COVID-19 with abdominal pain/diarrhea and tracked his family cluster. One member of the family tested positive for COVID-19 on real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assay and three other family members had anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
