Acute and long-term outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in school-aged children in England: Study protocol for the joint analysis of the COVID-19 schools infection survey (SIS) and the COVID-19 mapping and mitigation in schools (CoMMinS) study.

Background: The symptom profiles of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and long-COVID in children and young people (CYP), risk factors, and associated healthcare needs, are poorly defined. The Schools Infection Survey 1 (SIS-1) was a nationwide study of SARS-CoV-2 infection in primary and secondary schools in England during the 2020/21 school year. The Covid-19 Mapping and Mitigation in Schools (CoMMinS) study was conducted in schools in the Bristol area over a similar period.

Evaluation and deployment of isotype-specific salivary antibody assays for detecting previous SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adults.

Background: Saliva is easily obtainable non-invasively and potentially suitable for detecting both current and previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, but there is limited evidence on the utility of salivary antibody testing for community surveillance.

Methods: We established 6 ELISAs detecting IgA and IgG antibodies to whole SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, to its receptor binding domain region and to nucleocapsid protein in saliva. We evaluated diagnostic performance, and using paired saliva and serum samples, correlated mucosal and systemic antibody responses.

Economic evaluation of the OSAC randomised controlled trial: oral corticosteroids for non-asthmatic adults with acute lower respiratory tract infection in primary care.

Objective: To estimate the costs and outcomes associated with treating non-asthmatic adults (nor suffering from other lung-disease) presenting to primary care with acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) with oral corticosteroids compared with placebo.

Design: Cost-consequence analysis alongside a randomised controlled trial. Perspectives included the healthcare provider, patients and productivity losses associated with time off work.

Anaesthetic-analgesic ear drops to reduce antibiotic consumption in children with acute otitis media: the CEDAR RCT.

Background: Acute otitis media (AOM) is a common reason for primary care consultations and antibiotic prescribing in children. Options for improved pain control may influence antibiotic prescribing and consumption.

Objective: The Children's Ear Pain Study (CEDAR) investigated whether or not providing anaesthetic-analgesic ear drops reduced antibiotic consumption in children with AOM.

Screening for enteroviral meningitis in infants and children-Is it useful in clinical practice?

Enteroviral meningitis in infants and children commonly leads to hospital admission. Diagnosing viral meningitis can be difficult clinically. We examined the usefulness of enteroviral polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples on clinical practice by comparing positive enteroviral CSF PCR cases (n = 39/136) to negative controls using both clinical outcomes and laboratory parameters.