To the Editor-Understanding the prevalence of coinfections with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is crucial to delineating its true clinical impact. Numerous studies have evaluated coinfections in adults with COVID-19, 1-3 but data on pediatric COVID-19 coinfections are limited. Here, we evaluate the burden of coinfections in pediatric COVID-19 patients at 2 large Chicagoland medical centers. Methods We retrospectively reviewed electronic health records of all pediatric patients tested for severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from March 9, 2020, through April 30, 2020, in 2 Chicagoland medical centers. At the University of Chicago Medicine, SARS-CoV-2 was diagnosed using one of the following real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays on respiratory specimens: Cobas SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assay (Roche Basel, Switzerland) or Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 test (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA). Respiratory coinfections were primarily identified using a multiplex RT-PCR respiratory viral panel (RVP) with the following targets: adenovirus, coronavirus 229E/HKU1/NL63/OC43, human metapneumovirus, influenza-A/-B, parainfluenzas 1-4, respiratory syncytial virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Bordetella pertussis, and rhinovirus/enterovirus (FilmArray Respiratory Panel, BioFire Diagnostics, Salt Lake City, UT). Coinfections were also identified using the influenza/respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) RT-PCR assay (Cepheid Xpert Xpress Flu/RSV) known as the influenza/RSV panel (IRP). At NorthShore University HealthSystem, SARS-CoV-2 was identified similarly using RT-PCR: Xpert Xpress or BD Max (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ). Coinfections were detected using a multiplex RT-PCR panel that contained only the viral targets of the RVP (GenMark Dx, GenMark Diagnostics, Carlsbad, CA), as well as an IRP (Roche Cobas Liat Influenza A/B and RSV). We included all RVPs and IRPs that were obtained within 7 days of a SARS-CoV-2 test.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.