Coinfection of SARS-CoV-2 with other respiratory pathogens in outpatients from Ecuador

SARS-CoV-2 co-detection with influenza and human respiratory syncytial virus in Ethiopia: Findings from the severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI) sentinel surveillance, January 01, 2021, to June 30, 2022

SARS-CoV-2 co-infection with the influenza virus or human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) may complicate its progress and clinical outcomes. However, data on the co-detection of SARS-CoV-2 with other respiratory viruses are limited in Ethiopia and other parts of Africa to inform evidence-based response and decision-making. We analyzed 4,989 patients' data captured from the national severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI) sentinel surveillance sites over 18 months period from January 01, 2021, to June 30, 2022. Laboratory specimens were collected from the patients and tested for viral respiratory pathogens by real-time, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the national influenza center. The median age of the patients was 14 years (IQR: 1-35 years), with a slight preponderance of them being at the age of 15 to less than 50 years. SARS-CoV-2 was detected among 459 (9.2%, 95% CI: 8.4-10.0) patients, and 64 (1.3%, 95% CI: 1.0-1.6) of SARS-CoV-2 were co-detected either with Influenza virus (54.7%) or RSV (32.8%) and 12.5% were detected with both of the viruses. A substantial proportion (54.7%) of SARS-CoV-2 co-detection with other respiratory viruses was identified among patients in the age group from 15 to less than 50 years. The multivariable analysis found that the odds of SARS-CoV-2 co-detection was higher among individuals with the age category of 20 to 39 years as compared to those less than 20 years old (AOR: 1.98, 95%CI:1.15-3.42) while the odds of SARS-CoV-2 co-detection was lower among cases from other regions of the country as compared to those from Addis Ababa (AOR:0.16 95%CI:0.07-0.34). Although the SARS-CoV-2 co-detection with other respiratory viral pathogens was minimal, the findings of this study underscore that it is critical to continuously monitor the co-infections to reduce transmission and improve patient outcomes, particularly among the youth and patients with ILI.

Epidemic profile of common respiratory viruses in association SARS CoV-2 among SARI and ARI-two year study

BACKGROUND

COVID-19/SARS CoV-2 continue to pose a threat to human health and placed millions of livelihoods at risk. Surveillance for the other circulating seasonal viruses during this pandemic is necessary to understand the manifestations of the CoV-2 pandemic and their incidence.

METHODS

A detailed study survey was performed on subjects with acute respiratory infections (ARI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) in the King Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research, Chennai from April 2020 to March 2022. A total of 1480 patients presenting with either SARI (41.8%) or ARI (58.1%) were screened for SARS CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses. The SARS CoV-2 real-time PCR was carried out using ICMR-approved kits and other respiratory viruses were detected using the commercially available real-time kit.

RESULTS

Out of the 620 SARI patients, 198 (31.9%) were positive for SARS CoV-2 RNA. Out of the 860 ARI patients, 352 (40.9%) were positive for SARS CoV-2 RNA. Among the 550 patients positive for SARS CoV-2, 7 (1.2%) were positive coexistent with other respiratory viruses. Among the 930 patients with negative SARS CoV-2, 222 (23.8%) were positive for other common respiratory viruses (p = 0.001). Influenza viruses (36.9%) predominated followed by RSV (31.9%) and Parainfluenza virus (13.5%).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that viral coinfections are significantly higher among SARS CoV-2 negative individuals (23.8 vs. 1.2%). It is possibly due to viral interference and the competitive advantage of SARS CoV-2 in modulating the host immunity. Continuous surveillance is necessary for understanding the viral co-infection mechanisms.