Abstract
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, different SARS-CoV-2 variants have been identified and associated with higher transmissibility than the ancestral nonvariant strain. During January 1, 2021-January 15, 2022, we assessed differences in clinical and viral parameters in a convenience sample of COVID-19 outpatients and inpatients 0-21 years of age in Columbus, Ohio, USA, according to the infecting variant, identified using a mutation-specific reverse transcription PCR assay. Of the 676 patients in the study, 17.75% were infected with nonvariant strains, 18.49% with the Alpha variant, 41.72% with Delta, and 16.42% with Omicron. Rates of SARS-COV-2/viral co-infections were 15.66%-29.41% and were comparable across infecting variants. Inpatients with acute Delta and Omicron infections had lower SARS-CoV-2 cycle threshold values and more frequent fever and respiratory symptoms than those with nonvariant strain infections. In addition, SARS-COV-2/viral co-infections and the presence of underlying conditions were independently associated with worse clinical outcomes, irrespective of the infecting variant.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; United States; children; coronavirus disease; disease severity; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; variants; viruses; zoonoses.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, coronavirus disease, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, viruses, respiratory infections, SARS-CoV-2, children, disease severity, variants, United States, zoonoses., 【초록키워드】 zoonoses, coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic, variant, SARS-CoV-2 variant, Infection, Delta, omicron, clinical outcomes, infections, Transmissibility, Fever, Patient, Co-infection, age, Alpha variant, USA, reverse transcription PCR, disease, Strains, Cycle threshold value, Inpatient, acute respiratory syndrome, respiratory symptom, parameter, infecting, were infected, addition, Rate, underlying condition, comparable, COVID-19 outpatient, 【제목키워드】 clinical, Adolescent, manifestation, difference,