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Viral infectivity in paediatric SARS-CoV-2 clinical samples does not vary by age

Madaline M Schmidt1, Hannah W Despres1, David J Shirley2

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Robert Larner, MD College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.

Access Microbiology
|June 16, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Children infected with SARS-CoV-2 can produce high levels of infectious virus, regardless of age. This study found no impact of age on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infectiousness in pediatric populations.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Uncertainty existed regarding children's role in SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics early in the pandemic.
  • Children are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 but generally experience less severe disease than adults.
  • This trend persisted across variants, even in unvaccinated pediatric groups.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate potential differences in SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in children.
  • To compare viral RNA levels and infectious virus titers in pediatric COVID-19 cases.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 144 SARS-CoV-2 positive clinical samples from children aged 0-18 years.
  • Comparison of viral RNA levels (clinical RT-qPCR CT values).
  • Measurement of infectious virus titers.

Main Results:

  • Children of all ages were capable of producing high levels of infectious SARS-CoV-2.
  • No significant impact of age on the infectiousness of the virus was observed within the study cohort.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric age does not influence the capacity to produce infectious SARS-CoV-2.
  • Children can be significant sources of infectious virus, irrespective of their age.

Keywords:
SARS-CoV-2clinical isolatespaediatricviral infectivity

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