Children’s noses can better fight COVID-19 infection, study says
PTI, Aug 4, 2022, 4:03 PM IST
Image credit: Cone Health
Melbourne: The lining of children’s noses is better at inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infections than those of adults, which may explain why younger people had a lower infection rate and milder symptoms than earlier variants, according to a study.
Researchers from the University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia noted that the finding may be one of the reasons why children’s immune responses have so far proven more effective at avoiding and fighting COVID-19.
However, the trend was markedly less pronounced in the case of the Omicron variant, they said.
”Children have a lower COVID-19 infection rate and milder symptoms than adults, but the reasons for this have been unknown,” said Kirsty Short from UQ.
”We have shown the lining of children’s noses has a more pro-inflammatory response to the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 than adult noses,” said Short. However, the study published in the journal PLOS Biology found that it is different when it comes to the Omicron variant.
The research team exposed the samples of nasal lining cells from 23 healthy children and 15 healthy adults to SARS-CoV-2.
The results showed that the virus replicated less efficiently in the children’s nasal cells, as well as a heightened antiviral response.
”It could be an adaptation to the increased threats of ‘foreign invaders’ such as viruses or bacteria observed in childhood,” Short said.
”It is also possible that increased exposure to these threats in childhood ‘trains’ the nasal lining in children to mount a stronger pro-inflammatory response,” she said. Alternatively, the researchers said, metabolic differences between children and adults could alter how virus-fighting genes express themselves.
They found that the Delta COVID-19 variant was significantly less likely to replicate in the nasal cells of children compared to adults.
However, the effect was markedly less in the case of the Omicron variant.
”Taken together, it shows children’s nasal lining supports lower infection and replication of ancestral SARS-CoV-2, but this may be changing as the virus evolves,” Short added.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
World COPD Day: Know your lung function
As Delhi chokes with dangerous pollution levels, doctors warn of health risks for all
World Diabetes Day 2024: Kasturba Hospital Manipal Hosts Zumba Session at Malpe Beach to Raise Diabetes Awareness
World Diabetes Day: An overview of types of diabetes
World Diabetes Day: One-fourth of people living with diabetes in 2022 are in India, Lancet study estimates
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Siddaramaiah says confident of winning all three bypolls in Karnataka
Hop on! IT Minister Priyank Kharge checks out Uber Shuttle at Bengaluru Tech Summit
Actress Kasthuri released from jail, says ‘I thank those who made me raging storm’
Kidnapped for ransom in 1998, 26/11 survivor Gautam Adani faces biggest trial
AIMPLB to hold its annual general sessions in Bengaluru from November 23
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.