SARS-CoV-2 Antigenemia is Associated With Pneumonia in Children But Lacks Sensitivity to Diagnose Acute Infection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Nucleocapsid antigenemia in adults has demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for acute infection, and antigen burden is associated with disease severity. Data regarding SARS-CoV-2 antigenemia in children are limited.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed blood plasma specimens from hospitalized children with COVID-19 or MIS-C. Nucleocapsid and spike were measured using ultrasensitive immunoassays.

Results

We detected nucleocapsid antigenemia in 62% (50/81) and spike antigenemia in 27% (21/79) of children with acute COVID-19 but 0% (0/26) and 15% (4/26) with MIS-C from March 2020-March 2021. Higher nucleocapsid levels were associated with radiographic infiltrates and respiratory symptoms in children with COVID-19.

Conclusions

Antigenemia lacks t

SUBMITTER: Damhorst GL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9838602 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature