SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Children from Western Romania, March to June 2021.

Limited data are available regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seroprevalence in children. In this study, we assessed for the first time the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in children from Romania. Serum samples of 379 children were investigated for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 total antibodies. Serologic tests were performed using Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 electrochemiluminiscence immunoassay that targets the nucleocapsid protein of the virus. The overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 total antibodies was 46.70%. No significant difference was observed between seropositive and seronegative children according to age groups, gender, and area of residence. Our findings revealed a high SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Romanian children at the end of the third COVID-19 pandemic wave. Results suggest that children, regardless of age, gender, or area of residence, are susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2. Seroprevalence in children was similar to the seroprevalence reported in the adult population from Western Romania during the same period of time, March to June 2021.

SARS-CoV-2: An Overview of the Genetic Profile and Vaccine Effectiveness of the Five Variants of Concern.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, enormous efforts have been made to understand the genus SARS-CoV-2. Due to the high rate of global transmission, mutations in the viral genome were inevitable. A full understanding of the viral genome and its possible changes represents one of the crucial aspects of pandemic management. Structural protein S plays an important role in the pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2, mutations occurring at this level leading to viral forms with increased affinity for ACE2 receptors, higher transmissibility and infectivity, resistance to neutralizing antibodies and immune escape, increasing the risk of infection and disease severity. Thus, five variants of concern are currently being discussed, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron. In the present review, a comprehensive summary of the following critical aspects regarding SARS-CoV-2 has been made: (i) the genomic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2; (ii) the pathological mechanism of transmission, penetration into the cell and action on specific receptors; (iii) mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome; and (iv) possible implications of mutations in diagnosis, treatment, and vaccination.

SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Western Romania, March to June 2021.

Background and Objectives: The extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection among a population may be assessed by the presence of serum SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, which indicates previous exposure. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the adult population from Western Romania. Materials and Methods: Samples of 2443 consecutive individuals, referred for routine laboratory investigations, were tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using the Elecsys immunoassay that targets the nucleocapsid protein, for identifying the presence of the total antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Results: The overall SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 45.60%. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was significantly higher in age group 30-49 years (53.94%) compared to age groups 50-69 years (43.53%) and 70-91 years (30.79%) (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). No significant difference in seroprevalence was observed between females (44.83%) and males (47.05%). Conclusions: Our data revealed a high seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the adult population from Western Romania and indicate the rapid and significant spread of the virus. The estimated prevalence of 45.60% was 6 times higher than the rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in the study area. This indicates the magnitude of virus transmission in the community.

Impact of COVID-19 prevention measures on Clostridioides difficile infections in a regional acute care hospital.

Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is a common cause of nosocomial diarrhea. The multi-modal infection control strategies designed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have had an unintended positive effect on other hospital-acquired infections. The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 prevention measures on healthcare-associated C. difficile infections in a large regional acute care center. Electronic databases were reviewed from the start of the pandemic (March) up to November 2020. Average values from the same months from 2019 and 2018 were used as controls. Using the ICD-10 discharge coding, 65 C. difficile cases per 25,124 patients were identified in 2020 compared to 151/43,126 from the 2018 and 2019 averages (P=0.0484). The C. difficile cases were found to be decreased after the implementation of COVID-19 infection control strategies compared to previous years, despite an increase in antibiotic use. Subset analysis during lockdown showed a clear decrease but the difference was not statistically significant. For the months of recovery after lockdown, the number of cases was comparable to previous years.