SHEDDING OF INFECTIOUS SARS-COV-2 IN TWO ASYMPTOMATIC CHILDREN

REYES NOELIA SOLEDAD; RODRIGUEZ PAMELA ELIZABETH; RICARTE CARMEN; ECHEGOYEN NATALIA; VIEGAS MARIANA; VARESE AUGUSTO; ANA CEBALLOS; STRYJEWSKI, MARTIN E.; ECHAVARRIA MARCELA

MEDICINA (BUENOS AIRES)

MEDICINA (BUENOS AIRES)

Lugar: Buenos Aires; Año: 2023

0025-7680

Asymptomatic infections with SARS-CoV-2 are associ-ated with viral transmission and have a key role in thepropagation of the pandemic. Understanding viral shed-ding during asymptomatic infections is critical. Unfor-tunately, data on asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection inchildren is extremely limited. To determine the presenceof viral viable shedding, we prospectively followed twohealthy children of a family where both parents devel-oped mild COVID-19 (April 2021). SARS-CoV-2 detectionwas made by RT-PCR and virus isolation by cell culturefrom saliva samples. Positive samples were sequencedto identify variants of SARS-CoV-2. Serum samples wereevaluated to determine the presence of antibodies usinga single enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA,COVIDAR IgG). Both children were SARS-CoV-2 positiveand asymptomatic. In addition, the virus grew in cell cul-ture from saliva samples. Furthermore, one child showedviable SARS-CoV-2 for at least 17 days after the onsetsymptoms from his father. The recommended isolationperiod for asymptomatic contacts during the acquisitionof data had been established for 10 days; however, thischild remained with viable virus beyond that period. Thepositive samples from both children were consistentwith B.1.1.28.1 lineage (Gamma). In both asymptomaticchildren, anti-Spike IgG was detected. Asymptomaticchildren may represent a source of infection that shouldnot be underestimated during this pandemic.