Coronaviruses in children, Greece.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Papa A
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2792836 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Coronaviruses in children, Greece.
Papa Anna A Papadimitriou Evangelia E Luna Luciano Kleber de Souza LK Al Masri Motassim M Souliou Efimia E Eboriadou Maria M Antoniadis Antonis A Drosten Christian C
Emerging infectious diseases 20070601 6
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Project description:BackgroundA Vitamin D Receptor gene (VDR) polymorphism, rs10735810 (Fok1), has been associated in the past with idiopathic short stature (ISS) in a linkage study. We have investigated the association of the same, as well as a different polymorphism in the same gene [rs731236 (Taq1)] with ISS, in an independent study in Greek children.MethodsThe VDR rs10735810 (Fok1) and rs731236 (Taq1) polymorphisms were genotyped in a group of ISS children (n= 47) and an age and sex-matched group of normal height children (n= 60) from northern Greece. Genotyping was accomplished through established PCR-RFLP methods.ResultsAn association trend of rs10735810 with ISS was observed, with the TT (ff) genotype being apparently underrepresented among ISS children compared to controls (p= 0.076; OR= 0.165, 95% CI= 0.025-1.094).ConclusionsThe above results, together with recent evidence related to the functionality of the rs10735810 polymorphism, cannot exclude an involvement of VDR in the pathogenesis of ISS. Hippokratia 2015, 19 (1): 25-29.
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Project description:School closures were enforced as measures to restrain the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the assumption that young children may play a key role in SARS-CoV-2 spread. This study aims to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in children and corresponding parents, in order to improve surveillance and estimate the prevalence of asymptomatic or subclinical COVID-19 cases. A prospective multicenter study was conducted between March and June 2021 in Greece. Children admitted to the hospital or examined in outpatient clinics for reasons other than COVID-19 and their parents were tested for anti-Spike SARS-CoV-2 IgG in serum. A questionnaire about clinical and demographic data was completed. The study included 823 participants: 427 children and 396 corresponding parents. The overall seroprevalence was 16.4% in parents and 13.8% in children. Among families with ≥ 1 seropositive child or parent, the combination of a seropositive parent and a corresponding seronegative child was 29.6%, a seronegative parent and a corresponding seropositive child was 24.7%, and a seropositive child with a corresponding seropositive parent was 45.7%. Age, level of education, and school or work attendance were not significantly associated with increased seropositivity. On the contrary, ethnic minority of Roma, close contact with known COVID-19 case, previous symptoms consistent with COVID-19, and mass gatherings were risk factors for seropositivity.ConclusionThe spread of SARS-CoV-2 during a period of lockdown in Greece was low in children and comparable to adults most likely due to intrafamilial transmission. Accordingly, it is unlikely that children have boosted virus transmission.What is known• In the earliest months of the pandemic, it was demonstrated that children had significantly lower seroprevalence rates than the older age groups, due to the fact that children had decreased exposure to the virus, because of early public health interventions, such as school and day care closure. • Later, further studies reported that children have similar incidence rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to adults in households and community settings.What is new• In this seroprevalence study, the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection during a period of lockdown in Greece with the predominance of the Alpha-variant was particularly low in children and comparable to adults, most likely due to intrafamilial transmission. • These study findings will be useful for decisions regarding non-pharmaceutical interventions during the pandemic, and especially, to guide in designing and implementing appropriate containment measures for schools and social gatherings.
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