Pediatric SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Arkansas Over the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) seroprevalence studies largely focus on adults, but little is known about spread in children. We determined SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in children and adolescents from Arkansas over the first year of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

METHODS

We tested remnant serum samples from children ages 1-18 years who visited Arkansas hospitals or clinics for non-COVID-19-related reasons from April 2020 through April 2021 for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. We used univariable and multivariable regression models to determine the association between seropositivity and participant characteristics.

RESULTS

Among 2357 participants, seroprevalence rose from 7.9% in April/May 2020 (95% CI, 4.9-10.9) to 25.0% in April 2021 (95% CI, 21.5-28.5). Hispanic and black children had a higher association with antibody positivity than non-Hispanic and white children, respectively, in multiple sampling periods.

CONCLUSIONS

By spring 2021, most children in Arkansas were not infected with SARS-CoV-2. With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, recognition of long-term effects of COVID-19, and the lack of an authorized pediatric SARS-CoV-2 vaccine at the time, these results highlight the importance of including children in SARS-CoV-2 public health, clinical care, and research strategies.

Temporal Variations in Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infections by Race and Ethnicity in Arkansas

Background

The aim of this study was to estimate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection rates in the small rural state of Arkansas, using SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence as an indicator of infection.

Methods

We collected residual serum samples from adult outpatients seen at hospitals or clinics in Arkansas for non–coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–related reasons. A total of 5804 samples were identified over 3 time periods: 15 August–5 September 2020 (time period 1), 12 September–24 October 2020 (time period 2), and 7 November–19 December 2020 (time period 3).

Results

The age-, sex-, race-, and ethnicity-standardized SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence during each period, from 2.6% in time period 1 to 4.1% in time period 2 and 7.4% in time period 3. No statistically significant difference in seroprevalence was found based on age, sex, or residence (urban vs rural). However, we found higher seroprevalence rates in each time period for Hispanics (17.6%, 20.6%, and 23.4%, respectively) and non-Hispanic Blacks (4.8%, 5.4%, and 8.9%, respectively) relative to non-Hispanic Whites (1.1%, 2.6%, and 5.5%, respectively).

Conclusions

Our data imply that the number of Arkansas residents infected with SARS-CoV-2 rose steadily from 2.6% in August to 7.4% in December 2020. There was no statistical difference in seroprevalence between rural and urban locales. Hispanics and Blacks had higher rates of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies than Whites, indicating that SARS-CoV-2 spread disproportionately in racial and ethnic minorities during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Tympanoplasty: Experience of the ENT department in Yopougon hospital (Ivory Cost)]

PURPOSE

Perform an analysis of epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of tympanoplasty in Ivory Coast.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retro and prospective study over 13 years conducted in the ENT department of Yopougon Teaching Hospital. Our study concerned 104 patients.

RESULTS

The study population was dominated by young adults with an average age of 30.61 years. Chronic otitis media accounted for 80.76% of past medical history, a condition that was also the main indication (74.04%). Otoscopy pre- and intraoperative found essentially a non-marginal tympanic perforation (74.03%) and preoperative hearing assessment noted a conductive hearing loss in 72% of cases. The retroauricular surgical incision was performed in all patients. Surgical treatment consisted of a tympanoplasty type I in 76.3% of cases. The anatomical results were good in 81% of cases and functionally, 75% of our patients had interaural intensity difference of less than 20 decibels.

CONCLUSION

The tympanoplasty performed in our hospital apparently gives results that are similar to those of western countries to the patients who got a post operative control.

[Cephalometric characteristics of black African children 3-6 years of age with nasal obstruction]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the cephalometric craniofacial characteristic of the child with chronic rhinopharyngeal obstruction.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

It is about a comparative cross-sectional study with etiologic aiming including children of the 2 sexes, old from 3 to 6 years. The pathological subjects are represented by those presenting a chronic rhinopharyngeal obstruction due to the presence of hypertrophied tonsils (n = 29) and the "normal" subjects, those without any rhinopharyngeal obstruction (n = 30). Lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained for each subject. The conventional landmarks were determined with the subject's head in neutral position. The two groups underwent cephalometric measurements. The cephalometric analysis was made starting from conventional landmarks resulting from soft tissues and osseous structures. Various statistical tests (test t of student, test of Kruskal Wallis, test of Mann-Whitney) were used for the exploitation of the cephalometric data.

RESULTS

On the skeletal level, the length of the posterior cranial base was shorter at the pathological subjects than at the healthy subjects. Concerning the mandible, the height of the ramus and the length of the mandibular corpus are also weaker at the pathological subjects than at the witnesses. The hyoid bone is further away from the 3rd cervical vertebra and the craniocervical angle is more open at the pathological subjects, representing a modification of the slope of the cervical column. On the level of the rhinopharyngeal space, the average distances from the posterior nasal spine at the posterior edge of the rhinopharyngeal space and between the posterior nasal spine and the posterior base of the base of cranium are respectively of 19,43 +/- 4,78 mm and 37,56 +/- 2,95 mm. These measurements are not significantly different from those described in the literature.

CONCLUSION

Our study highlighted skeletal modifications in children presenting a rhinopharyngeal obstruction. Even if they do not justify all the symptoms met, these modifications can represent a readjustment of the pharyngeal corridor aiming at facilitating the flow of airflow.

[Benign lymphoid pseudotumors of the nasal cavity and HIV infections]

OBJECTIVE

To return particular aspects of the benign lymphoid pseudotumor of the cavum.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

It is about a prospective survey on 7 years achieved in the ENT services of university hospital of Treichville (1994-1995) and of Bouaké (1996-2001). Five cases have been kept.

RESULTS

There were 4 women and 1 man aged between 26 years and 47 years. The main reason of consultation was the hypoacousia and the nasal obstruction. A cavum tumor was founded will all the patients during cavoscopy. The tympanometry confirmed the diagnosis of otitis media with effusion. The histological operative piece exam noted a lymphoid hyperplasia. HIV serology was positive in 4 cases and negative in 1 case. The treatment consisted in surgical removal of the tumor in 1 case and in 4 cases it was associated with the grommet insertion. Three of the 4 HIV-positive patients received antiviral treatment. The evolution was good with all the patients.

CONCLUSION

The lymphoid pseudotumors of the cavum must make search for a VIH infection at the young.