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Upper respiratory tract SARS-CoV-2 RNA loads in symptomatic and asymptomatic children and adults
Preprint
in English
| medRxiv
| ID: ppmedrxiv-21252814
Journal article
A scientific journal published article is available and is probably based on this preprint. It has been identified through a machine matching algorithm, human confirmation is still pending.
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A scientific journal published article is available and is probably based on this preprint. It has been identified through a machine matching algorithm, human confirmation is still pending.
See journal article
ABSTRACT
ObjectivesThere is limited information comparing SARS-CoV-2 RNA load in the upper respiratory tract (URT) between children and adults, either presenting with COVID-19 or asymptomatic. Here we conducted a retrospective, single center study involving a large cohort of SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals to address this issue. Patients and MethodsA total of 1,184 consecutive subjects (256 children and 928 adults) testing positive for SARS-COV-2 RNA in nasopharyngeal exudates (NP) were included, of whom 424 (121 children and 303 adults) had COVID-19 not requiring hospitalization and 760 (135 children and 625 adults) were asymptomatic close contacts of COVID-19 patients. SARS-CoV-2 RNA testing was carried out using the TaqPath COVID-19 Combo Kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, MS, USA). The AMPLIRUN(R) TOTAL SARS-CoV-2 RNA Control (Vircell SA, Granada, Spain) was used for estimating SARS-CoV-2 RNA loads (in copies/mL). ResultsMedian SARS-COV-2 RNA loads were comparable between adults and children with COVID-19 (7.14 log10 copies/ml vs. 6.98 log10 copies/ml; P=0.094). Median SARS-CoV-2 RNA load in asymptomatic children and adults was similar (6.20 log10 copies/ml vs. 6.48 log10 copies/ml; P=0.97). Children with COVID-19 symptoms displayed SARS-CoV-2 RNA loads comparable to their asymptomatic counterparts (P=0.61). Meanwhile in adults, median SARS-CoV-2 RNA load was significantly higher in symptomatic than in asymptomatic subjects (P=<0.001), yet comparable (P=0.61) when the analysis excluded patients sampled within 48 h after symptoms onset. ConclusionsThe data suggest that children may be drivers of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the general population at the same level as adults.
cc_by_nc
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Preprints
Database:
medRxiv
Type of study:
Cohort_studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Language:
English
Year:
2021
Document type:
Preprint