Viral co-infections among SARS-CoV-2-infected children and infected adult household contacts

Pigny, Fiona; Wagner, Noémie; Rohr, Marie; Mamin, Aline; Cherpillod, Pascal; Posfay-Barbe, Klara M.; Kaiser, Laurent; Eckerle, Isabella; L’Huillier, Arnaud G.

We evaluated the rates of viral respiratory co-infections among SARS-CoV-2-infected children. Twelve percent of SARS-CoV-2-infected children had viral co-infection with one or more common respiratory viruses. This was significantly more frequent than among their SARS-CoV-2-infected adult household contacts (0%; p=0.028). Compared to the same period the previous year, common respiratory viruses were less frequently detected (12% vs 73%, p<0.001). Conclusion: Despite partial lockdown with school and daycare closure, and consequently similar exposure to common viruses between children and adults, SARS-CoV-2-infected children had more frequent viral respiratory co-infections than their SARS-CoV-2-infected adult household contacts. Circulation of common respiratory viruses was less frequent during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak when compared to the same period last year, showing the impact of partial lockdown on the circulation of common viruses.