Fecal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in infants born to SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers: a pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Fecal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 occurs during infection, particularly in pediatric populations. The gut microbiota are associated with resistance to enteric pathogens. COVID-19 is associated with alterations to the gut microbiome. We hypothesized that the gut microbiome of infants born to SARS-CoV-2+ mothers differs between infants with and without fecal shedding of the virus.

Methods

We enrolled 10 infants born to SARS-CoV-2+ mothers. We used qPCR on fecal RNA to test for SARS-CoV-2 and 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the V4 region to assess the gut microbiome. Infant SARS-CoV-2 status from nasal swabs was abstracted from medical records.

Results

Of the 10 included infants, nine were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by nasal swab with 1 testing positive. Four infants, inclu

SUBMITTER: Blaufus DKP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11363909 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature