COVID-19 Infection and transmission in children

Our research is focused on the ways children experience COVID-19 infection and immunity compared to adults. We are investigating the modes of infection transmission for children and families; the role played by age-specific blood clotting factors; and treatments and preventatives that could make a difference in COVID-19.

Research

Intranasal Heparin Trial (INHERIT)

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intranasal heparin in managing early-stage COVID-19 infections and in reducing the transmission of the virus among household members. The trial will also investigate the impact of heparin treatment on long COVID symptoms lasting beyond 12 weeks following the initial infection.

Understanding children’s susceptibility and immunity to COVID-19

A striking feature of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the relatively low incidence in children. This is markedly different to almost every other infectious disease, particularly those due to viruses. 
 
By understanding the factors behind why some children are protected or become asymptomatic, we can begin to understand why there is an increasing gradient of COVID-19 infection severity with age. This research could hold the key to discovering effective COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

COVID-19 in hospitalised children

Dr Danielle Wurzel and Professor Nigel Crawford are leading the paediatric-specific component of the Doherty Institute’s Sentinel Travellers and Research Preparedness for Emerging Infectious Diseases (SETREP-ID) study.

They are examining any COVID-19 patient admitted to The Royal Children’s Hospital and following the clinical course and outcome of the infection, as well as conducting epidemiological, virology and immunology studies.

By investigating the characteristics of inpatients, they are evaluating the predictors for severe COVID-19 infection in children, particularly in those with underlying chronic diseases.

The EPICENTRE (ESPNIC Covid pEdiatric Neonatal) initiative – an international registry of children and newborns needing critical care for SARS-CoV-2 infection 

MCRI has launched the EPICENTRE (ESPNIC Covid pEdiatric Neonatal Registry), an international, multi-centre and multidisciplinary initiative to study the epidemiology, clinical course and outcomes of children and newborns needing critical care for SARS-CoV-2 infection. This project is led by Associate Professor David Tingay and Associate Professor Daniele De Luca (Paris, France).

EPICENTRE contains symptom, treatment and outcome data on the largest number of paediatric COVID-19 intensive care cases worldwide. This is a collaboration with European Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Society partners in France and Italy.

MCRI was chosen to lead this initiative due to our international reputation for running trials and registries in children and because Australia was not experiencing the same acute healthcare pressures as other countries.

The First Few X Study (FFX)

Professor Nigel Crawford and Dr Shidan Tosif led Victoria’s contribution to a World Health Organization-led study that examined key clinical, epidemiological, and virological characteristics and transmission within families of the first 100 cases of COVID-19 infection in countries across the globe.

Stem cell-derived tissues for SARS-CoV-2 research

Professor Melissa Little heads the team at MCRI and is leading a project that uses human stem cells to better understand the effects of COVID-19 on different organ systems in the body including the lungs, heart, kidneys, brain, immune system and blood vessels, to support the development of targeted treatments.

The research has already deepened our understanding of how coronavirus impacts the heart. The team identified issues with the heart muscle as a result of the virus disrupting oxygen supply. This research has been expanded to include emerging strains of SARS-CoV-2, long-term symptoms and potential links between COVID-19 and unborn children.

Investigating COVID-19 host genetics 

MCRI is a key Australian member of the international COVID Human Genetic Effort (CHGE) consortium.

Led by Professor John Christodoulou, our researchers with colleagues at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, are conducting NATA accredited whole genome and whole exome sequencing to screen for genetic variants in relevant biological pathways that could be functionally relevant, but not obvious until exposed to COVID-19.

This work identifies underlying genetic variations that could help to predict the severity of the disease, potentially uncovering new opportunities for personalised approaches to the treatment of individuals exposed to the SARS-Cov-2 virus.

The team is primarily interested in younger people (under the age of 50) with no predisposing health issues who appear to have particularly severe disease and the very elderly (over the age of 80) or those who are hyper-exposed (house companions of infected individuals or ICU workers) who contract COVID-19 but appear to have a particularly mild clinical course.

Human Challenge Model 

Professor Andrew Steer is working with collaborators to establish a framework to conduct non-Sars-CoV-2 human challenge studies. MCRI is the only place in Australia that has conducted human challenge trials of throat infection. The model will be imperative for screening and testing new therapies and vaccine candidates.

Clinical trial alliance for SARS-COV-2 Vaccine 

Professor Terry Nolan is contributing to the Doherty Institute’s national initiative to coordinate an alliance of clinical trial centres. Ongoing clinical trials are now underway in Australia. 

The COVID-19 household transmission study - Completed

Dr Shidan Tosif and Professor Nigel Crawford led the study which aimed to examine key clinical and epidemiological characteristics and transmission within families who have a SARS-CoV-2-positive household member. By analysing the transmission within a household, they aimed to understand the extent to which an infected family member can spread COVID-19 to other household members, including children. They aimed to characterise any secondary infections that occur, including asymptomatic infections.

Age-specific coagulation - Completed

Professors Paul Monagle and Vera Ignjatovic investigated the contribution of age-specific differences in blood clotting to the age-specific epidemiology of COVID-19.

To do this, they compared COVID-19, non-COVID-19 coronavirus and influenza-infected patients, as well as healthy participants, to understand the changes in the coagulation (clotting) system observed in COVID-19.

Understanding the mechanisms of clot formation in patients with COVID-19 will identify drug targets that could alleviate the devastating blood clot-related complications in infected patients.

Associated resources

Associated campus papers 2020/2021

COVID-19 and kids: understanding infection and transmission

In this 2021 webinar, we heard from Professor Sarath Ranganathan, Drs Shidan Tosif and Melanie Neeland about what we know about children and COVID-19, the role of children in COVID-19 transmission, and COVID-19 immunity in children, compared to adults. Professor Fiona Russell joined the speakers for a panellist discussion and Q&A, led by Professor Andrew Steer.

In this 2021 webinar, we heard from Professor Sarath Ranganathan, Drs Shidan Tosif and Melanie Neeland about what we know about children and COVID-19, the role of children in COVID-19 transmission, and COVID-19 immunity in children, compared to...

In this 2021 webinar, we heard from Professor Sarath Ranganathan, Drs Shidan Tosif and Melanie Neeland about what we know about children and COVID-19, the role of children in COVID-19 transmission, and COVID-19 immunity in children, compared to adults. Professor Fiona Russell joined the speakers for a panellist discussion and Q&A, led by Professor Andrew Steer.

Smiling child on a blue couch

Find out how you can make a difference to the lives of children.

Donate now