Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 infection by Reverse transcription-PCR and serology in the Paris area: a cross-sectional study

• Main Authors: Emmanuelle Varon (Author), Stéphane Béchet (Author), Corinne Levy (Author), Robert Cohen (Author), Camille Jung (Author), Naim Ouldali (Author), Odile Launay (Author), Aurelie Sellam (Author), Christophe Batard (Author), Fabienne Cahn-Sellem (Author), Annie Elbez (Author), Alain Wollner (Author), Olivier Romain (Author), François Corrard (Author), Said Aberrane (Author), Nathalie Soismier (Author), Rita Creidy (Author), Mounira Smati-Lafarge (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMJ Publishing Group, 2020-02-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Background Several studies indicated that children seem to be less frequently infected with SARS-CoV-2 and are potentially less contagious than adults. To examine the spread of SARS-CoV-2, we combined both Reverse transcription-PCR testing and serology in children in the most affected region in France, Paris, during the COVID-19 epidemic.Methods From 14 April 2020 to 12 May 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional, prospective, multicentre study. Healthy controls and pauci-symptomatic children from birth to age 15 years were enrolled by 27 ambulatory paediatricians. A nasopharyngeal swab was taken for detection of SARS-CoV-2 by Reverse transcription-PCR and a microsample of blood for micromethod serology.Results Among the 605 children, 322 (53.2%) were asymptomatic and 283 (46.8%) were symptomatic. Reverse transcription-PCR and serology results were positive for 11 (1.8%) and 65 (10.7%) children, respectively, with no significant difference between asymptomatic and pauci-symptomatic children. Only three children were Reverse transcription-PCR-positive without any antibody response detected. The frequency of Reverse transcription-PCR SARS-CoV-2 positivity was significantly higher for children with positive than negative serology results (12.3% vs 0.6%, p<0.001). Contact with a person with confirmed COVID-19 increased the odds of Reverse transcription-PCR positivity (OR 7.8, 95% CI 1.5 to 40.7) and serology positivity (OR 15.1, 95% CI 6.6 to 34.6).Conclusion In an area heavily affected by COVID-19, after the peak of the first epidemic wave and during the lockdown, the rate of children with Reverse transcription-PCR SARS-CoV-2 positivity was very low (1.8%), but that of serology positivity was higher (10.7%). Most children with positive Reverse transcription-PCR results also had positive serology results.Trial registration number NCT04318431.

Item Description

10.1136/bmjpo-2020-000887
2399-9772