Naslov
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among children in Children’s Hospital Zagreb during the initial and second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia

Autori
Leniček Krleža, Jasna ; Zrinski Topić, Renata ; Stevanović, Vladimir ; Lukić-Grlić, Amarela ; Tabain, Irena ; Mišak, Zrinjka ; Roić, Goran ; Kaić, Bernard ; Mayer, Dijana ; Hruškar, Željka ; Barbić, Ljubo ; Vilibić-Čavlek, Tatjana

Izvornik
Biochemia medica (1330-0962) 31 (2021), 2; 283-294

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2 ; anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies ; children ; seroprevalence

Sažetak
Introduction: The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and titres of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in children treated at the Children’s Hospital Zagreb in the first and the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Statistical significance of difference at two time points was done to determine how restrictive epidemiological measures and exposure of children to COVID-19 infection affect this prevalence in different age groups.Materials and methods: At the first time point (13th to 29th May 2020), 240 samples and in second time point (24th October to 23rd November 2020), 308 serum samples were tested for anti- SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and electrochemilumines-cence immunoassay (ECLIA). Confirmation of results and titre determination was done using virus micro-neutralization test. Subjects were divided according to gender, age and epidemiological history. Results: Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies differs significantly in two time points (P = 0.010). In first time point 2.9% of seropositive children were determined and in second time point 8.4%. Statistically significant difference (P = 0.007) of seroprevalence between two time points was found only in a group of children aged 11-19 years. At the first time point, all seropositive children were asymptomatic with titre < 8. At the second time point, 69.2% seropositive children were asymptomatic with titre ≥ 8. Conclusions: The prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was significantly lower at the first time point than at the second time point. Values of virus micro- neutralization test showed that low titre in asymptomatic children was not protective at the first time point but in second time point all seropositive children had protective titre of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Javno zdravstvo i zdravstvena zaštita

POVEZANOST RADA