Prevalence of Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19 in Tübingen Children
Condition: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
MeSH terms: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      This is a prospective, longitudinal study to determine the incidence of SARS-COV-2 infection
      in children and adolescents by measuring specific antibodies in non-invasive saliva sampled
      in kindergartens and schools in a defined city area. The study includes an additional arm to
      validate the ELISA for anti-SARS-COV-2 reactive antibody measurements in saliva compared
      against blood collected in adult volunteers in a bimonthly follow-up period for 12 months.
    

Detailed description: 
      The world is confronting Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2
      virus, which is causing many deaths and burden on intensive care facilities. Data regarding
      epidemiologic characteristics in children and young adults is limited, especially in the
      context of educational settings. Due to mild symptoms or even asymptomatic cases in children,
      the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infected children is underestimated. Therefore, the present study aims
      to determine the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children at 3 timepoints during 12
      months expressed as seroconversion measured in non-invasive saliva sampling in Tübingen, a
      defined study area. Children and adolescents (N = 1850) in the age of 1 to 17 years will be
      recruited via child-care, kindergarten and primary and secondary schools and followed-up for
      12 months: shortly after release of lock-down measures in summer 2020, before winter and
      after the winter. An adult cohort (adult comparator group) is sampled at the same time points
      for incidence comparisons. To validate the ELISA for SARS-CoV-2 antibody measurements in
      saliva compared to blood, and to understand the half-life of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in
      respective body fluids, peripheral blood and in saliva will be sampled every 2 months in an
      additional adult group (adult validation group).
    

Intervention name(s): Diagnostic test
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): Presence of antibodies in saliva
Observational model: Cohort
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Group A: Kita cohort (any age, usually 1-3 years): N = 350 Group B: Kindergarten cohort
        (any age, usually 3-6 years): N = 350 Group C: Primary school cohort (any age, usually,
        6-10 years): N = 350 Group D: Secondary school, young cohort (class 5-8, any age, usually
        10 - 14 years): N =400 Group E: Secondary school, adolescent cohort (class 9-12, any age,
        usually 14 - 18 years): N = 400 Group F: Tübinger adults (> 18 years): N = 400 (adult
        comparator group)

        Adults (n = 80). Specifically, 40 adult individuals who had a previous confirmed SARS-CoV-2
        infection as well as 40 adults without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection at the start of the
        study.
      
Biospecimen description: 
      Saliva, whole blood
    
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; antibodies; saliva; children; epidemiology