Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Household Transmission During the Omicron Era in Massachusetts: A Prospective, Case-Ascertained Study Using Genomic Epidemiology.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Households are a major setting for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections, but there remains a lack of knowledge regarding the dynamics of viral transmission, particularly in the setting of preexisting SARS-CoV-2 immunity and evolving variants.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, case-ascertained household transmission study in the greater Boston area in March-July 2022. Anterior nasal swabs, along with clinical and demographic data, were collected for 14 days. Nasal swabs were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Whole genome sequencing was performed on high-titer samples.

Results

We enrolled 33 households in a primary analysis set, with a median participant age of 25 years (range, 2-66 years), 98% of w

SUBMITTER: Banga J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11551451 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature