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Analysis of Cell Immunity for Children Infected with SARS-CoV-2 and Those Vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 Using
Tomohiro Oishi1, Yuto Yasui1, Atsushi Kato1
1Department of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Kawasaki Medical School, 577, Matsushima, Kurashiki 701-0192, Okayama, Japan.
Insights
Cellular immunity in children post-COVID-19 vaccination and infection was assessed. Most children infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may not develop cellular immunity unless disease is severe.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Cellular immunity is crucial for controlling viral infections like COVID-19.
- Childhood cellular immunity is generally considered less developed.
- Specific details of cellular immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in children remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 in vaccinated and infected children.
- To determine the utility of the T-SPOT® COVID assay in assessing pediatric cellular immunity to SARS-CoV-2.
Main Methods:
- Assessed cellular immunity in 8 children post-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and 11 children post-SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Utilized the T-SPOT® COVID assay targeting spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins.
Main Results:
- Seven of eight vaccinated children showed positive T-SPOT® COVID assay results for the S protein.
- Five of eleven infected children had positive T-SPOT® COVID assay results for the N protein.
- Among the 5 infected children with positive N protein response, 3 were hospitalized, and 2 required mechanical ventilation.
Conclusions:
- The T-SPOT® COVID assay is effective for evaluating cellular immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in children.
- Significant cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 in children may correlate with disease severity.
Abstract:
Cellular immunity is critical for the regulation of viral diseases, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and is generally considered immature in childhood. However, the details of cellular immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among children are unclear. We assessed cellular immunity in eight children post-vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 and 11 children after SARS-CoV-2 infection using the T-SPOT®.COVID assay for the spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins. In the vaccinated group, the T-SPOT®.COVID assay for the S protein yielded positive results in seven children. In the post-infection group, the assay for the N protein was positive for 5 of 11 children, with 3 of these 5 children requiring hospitalization, including 2 who needed mechanical ventilation. The T-SPOT®.COVID assay is thus valuable for assessing cellular immunity against SARS-CoV-2, and most children infected with SARS-CoV-2 may not develop such immunity unless the disease severity is significant.
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