SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children: Revisiting Host-Virus Interactions Through Post-Infection Immune Profiling.

ABSTRACT: Children with COVID-19 typically experience milder symptoms and lower hospitalization rates, though severe cases do occur. Understanding age-related immune responses is crucial for future preparedness. We characterized immune response dynamics to SARS-CoV-2 in 145 samples from 119 pediatric patients (<18 years) with confirmed infection, assessed at four distinct time points: <14 days, 14 days-3 months, 3-6 months, and 6-12 months post-infection. At infection, patients presented increased activated T-cells, higher levels of exhaustion (i.e., PD-1⁺), lower numbers of unswitched memory B-cells, and increased antibody-secreting cells (ASCs). Both humoral and cellular anti-SARS-CoV-2 responses increased over time (all patients showed measurable responses in the last assessment). Asym

SUBMITTER: Martins CG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12472562 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature