Role of Human Coronaviruses in Acute Respiratory Infections and the Seroprevalence of Middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus antibodies in Pediatric Age Group

Abstract

oronaviruses are known for their role in respiratory tract infections in children. There are seven types of human coronavirus including 229E, NL63, OC43 and HKU1, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and (SARS-CoV-2). Coronaviruses have been the focus of many studies since the emergence of deadly strains including SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and recently SARS-CoV-2. However, data on the role of MERS-CoV as a cause of respiratory tract infection and the seroprevalence of MERS-CoV in Egypt are very limited. This study aimed to determine the role of coronaviruses as a cause of respiratory tract infections and the seroprevalence of MERS-CoV in pediatric age group. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 children attending Ain Shams pediatric hospital, divided into 2 groups: group I included 80 patients with respiratory tract infections, their ages ranged from 2 months to 15 years with mean (4.5 ± 3.5) with 46 males and 34 females. Group II included 120 patients attending the hospital for other medical reasons than respiratory tract infections, they were 60 males and 60 females and their ages ranged from 6 months to 17 years with a mean of (4.9 ±5).