Surveillance towards preventing paediatric incidence of respiratory syncytial virus attributable respiratory tract infection in primary and secondary/tertiary healthcare settings in Merseyside, Cheshire and Bristol, UK.

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus, particularly affecting children, and can cause respiratory infections such as croup and bronchiolitis. The latter is a leading cause of paediatric hospitalisation within the UK. Children <3 years of age and/or with underlying health conditions are more vulnerable to severe RSV infection.There are currently limited data on the incidence of laboratory-confirmed RSV, particularly within primary care settings and outside the typical 'RSV season', which in the Northern hemisphere tends to coincide with winter months. There is also a lack of data on the health economic impact of RSV infection on families and healthcare systems.This observational surveillance study aims to collect data on the incidence of laboratory-confirmed RSV-attributable respiratory tract infection (RTI) in children aged <3 years presenting to primary, secondary or tertiary care; it also aims to estimate the health economic and quality of life impact of RSV-attributable infection in this cohort. Such data will contribute to informing public health strategies to prevent RSV-associated infection, including use of preventative medications. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Parents/carers of children <3 years of age with RTI symptoms will consent for a respiratory sample (nasal swab) to be taken. Laboratory PCR testing will assess for the presence of RSV and/or other pathogens. Data will be obtained from medical records on demographics, comorbidities, severity of infection and hospitalisation outcomes. Parents will complete questionnaires on the impact of ongoing infection symptoms at day 14 and 28 following enrolment. The primary outcome is incidence of laboratory-confirmed RSV in children <3 years presenting to primary, secondary or tertiary care with RTI symptoms leading to health-seeking behaviours. Recruitment will be carried out from December 2021 to March 2023, encompassing two UK winter seasons and intervening months. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been granted (21/WS/0142), and study findings will be published as per International Committee of Medical Journal Editors' guidelines.

Establishing severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) surveillance in a sentinel hospital, Ireland, 2021 to 2022.

BackgroundIn 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) accelerated development of European-level severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) surveillance.AimWe aimed to establish SARI surveillance in one Irish hospital as part of a European network E-SARI-NET.MethodsWe used routine emergency department records to identify cases in one adult acute hospital. The SARI case definition was adapted from the ECDC clinical criteria for a possible COVID-19 case. Clinical data were collected using an online questionnaire. Cases were tested for SARS-CoV-2, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), including whole genome sequencing (WGS) on SARS-CoV-2 RNA-positive samples and viral characterisation/sequencing on influenza RNA-positive samples. Descriptive analysis was conducted for SARI cases hospitalised between July 2021 and April 2022.ResultsOverall, we identified 437 SARI cases, the incidence ranged from two to 28 cases per week (0.7-9.2/100,000 hospital catchment population). Of 431 cases tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, 226 (52%) were positive. Of 349 (80%) cases tested for influenza and RSV RNA, 15 (4.3%) were positive for influenza and eight (2.3%) for RSV. Using WGS, we identified Delta- and Omicron-dominant periods. The resource-intensive nature of manual clinical data collection, specimen management and laboratory supply shortages for influenza and RSV testing were challenging.ConclusionWe successfully established SARI surveillance as part of E-SARI-NET. Expansion to additional sentinel sites is planned following formal evaluation of the existing system. SARI surveillance requires multidisciplinary collaboration, automated data collection where possible, and dedicated personnel resources, including for specimen management.

Recovery from Triple Infection with SARS-CoV-2, RSV and Influenza virus: A case report.

The overall probability of infection with RSV, influenza virus, or SARS-CoV-2 in the general population is assessed as high by the ECDC. A high level of respiratory virus circulation increases hospitalizations and places significant pressure on healthcare systems. Here we describe the case of a 52-year-old woman who recovered from pneumonia with a triple infection with SARS-CoV-2, RSV, and Influenza virus. We suggest searching for antigenic or molecular detection of VSR and influenza viruses, together with SARS-CoV-2, in patients with respiratory symptoms during this epidemic period, whereas all three viruses are present right now.

Pediatric respiratory admissions and related viral infections during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the incidence of respiratory viral infections. Our aim was to assess changes in pediatric admissions due to respiratory diseases and associated respiratory viral infections. METHODS: An observational study including all respiratory admissions to the pediatric departments from January 2015 to August 2021. We compared respiratory admission percentage, respiratory viral panel results and clinical characteristics of these admissions between two study periods, January 2015 to February 2020 (pre-COVID-19 era) and March 2020 to August 2021 (COVID-19 era). RESULTS: A total of 8774 respiratory admissions were included, 7157 pre-COVID-19 era and 1617 COVID-19 era. Relative to all pediatric admissions, there was a 17% decrease in respiratory admission percentage during the COVID-19 era (p < 0.001) and a 31% and 22% decreased in the admission percentages due to bronchiolitis (p < 0.001) and pneumonia (p < 0.001), respectively. However, admission percentages for asthma, wheezing illness, complicated pneumonia, and stridor remained the same. There was a significant decrease in the detection of a respiratory viral pathogen associated with these respiratory admissions (p < 0.001). This was related to a significant decrease in the detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (37% vs. 27%, p < 0.001) and influenza (5% vs. 0.3%, p < 0.001), but not other respiratory viruses. An alteration in the circulation pattern of most respiratory viruses, was observed. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a decrease in the prevalence of RSV and influenza was associated with a significant decrease in admissions for bronchiolitis and pediatric pneumonia. This may allow us to estimate the significance of preventive measures for RSV and influenza on pediatric respiratory admissions.

Efficacy and Safety of a Bivalent RSV Prefusion F Vaccine in Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection causes considerable illness in older adults. The efficacy and safety of an investigational bivalent RSV prefusion F protein-based (RSVpreF) vaccine in this population are unknown. METHODS: In this ongoing, phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, adults (≥60 years of age) to receive a single intramuscular injection of RSVpreF vaccine at a dose of 120 µg (RSV subgroups A and B, 60 µg each) or placebo. The two primary end points were vaccine efficacy against seasonal RSV-associated lower respiratory tract illness with at least two or at least three signs or symptoms. The secondary end point was vaccine efficacy against RSV-associated acute respiratory illness. RESULTS: At the interim analysis (data-cutoff date, July 14, 2022), 34,284 participants had received RSVpreF vaccine (17,215 participants) or placebo (17,069 participants). RSV-associated lower respiratory tract illness with at least two signs or symptoms occurred in 11 participants in the vaccine group (1.19 cases per 1000 person-years of observation) and 33 participants in the placebo group (3.58 cases per 1000 person-years of observation) (vaccine efficacy, 66.7%; 96.66% confidence interval [CI], 28.8 to 85.8); 2 cases (0.22 cases per 1000 person-years of observation) and 14 cases (1.52 cases per 1000 person-years of observation), respectively, occurred with at least three signs or symptoms (vaccine efficacy, 85.7%; 96.66% CI, 32.0 to 98.7). RSV-associated acute respiratory illness occurred in 22 participants in the vaccine group (2.38 cases per 1000 person-years of observation) and 58 participants in the placebo group (6.30 cases per 1000 person-years of observation) (vaccine efficacy, 62.1%; 95% CI, 37.1 to 77.9). The incidence of local reactions was higher with vaccine (12%) than with placebo (7%); the incidences of systemic events were similar (27% and 26%, respectively). Similar rates of adverse events through 1 month after injection were reported (vaccine, 9.0%; placebo, 8.5%), with 1.4% and 1.0%, respectively, considered by the investigators to be injection-related. Severe or life-threatening adverse events were reported in 0.5% of vaccine recipients and 0.4% of placebo recipients. Serious adverse events were reported in 2.3% of participants in each group through the data-cutoff date. CONCLUSIONS: RSVpreF vaccine prevented RSV-associated lower respiratory tract illness and RSV-associated acute respiratory illness in adults (≥60 years of age), without evident safety concerns. (Funded by Pfizer; RENOIR ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05035212; EudraCT number, 2021-003693-31.).

Diagnosis of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection in children by Respiratory Panel utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: In the months of October and November 2021, there was throughout Italy and in our specific case in the area of Lucca and Versilia, a disturbing increase of SARS-CoV-2 infections and cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in new-borns. The aim of this paper is to compare the cases of RSV infection diagnosed in recent years to the cases recorded during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to November 2022. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consisted of evaluating the results of requests for RSV diagnosis from 2015 to November 2022, using molecular biology techniques. RESULTS: The data obtained show that the number of cases of RSV infection in children during the winter season had a constant trend from 2015 to 2019. From November 2020 to February 2021 there were no cases of RSV respiratory infections. Starting from September 2021, on the other hand, there was a resumption of cases of RSV infections in conjunction with an increase in the number of children affected by COVID-19. From January 2022, after a peak in cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, there has been a decrease in RSV infections. From September 2022 to November 2022, there was no increase of cases of RSV infections in new-borns but on the contrary, there was a trend in respiratory infections comparable to the pre-pandemic period. CONCLUSION: The data that emerged from the study conducted, show the onset of an outbreak of RSV in new-borns. This incidence is linked to the implementation of rigorous non-pharmacological public health interventions in 2020, aimed at combating COVID-19 infection. The use of the molecular panel made it possible to identifying the responsible agent and highlighting the most suitable clinical and therapeutic path.

The bronchiolitis epidemic in 2021-2022 during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: experience of a third level centre in Northern Italy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to compare the 2021-2022 bronchiolitis season to the four previous years (2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2020-2021) to see if there was an anticipation of the peak, an overall increase of cases, and an increased need of intensive care. METHODS: A retrospective single-centre study in the San Gerardo Hospital Fondazione MBBM, Monza, Italy was performed. Emergency Departments (ED) visits of patients aged < 18 years and ≤ 12 months were analyzed: the incidence of bronchiolitis on total assessments, the urgency level at triage and the hospitalization rate were compared. Data of children admitted to the Pediatric Department due to bronchiolitis were analyzed in terms of need of intensive care, respiratory support (type and duration), length of hospital stay, main etiological agent, patient characteristics. RESULTS: During 2020-2021 (first pandemic period) an important reduction in the ED attendance for bronchiolitis was observed, while in 2021-2022 there was an increase in incidence of bronchiolitis (13% of visits in infants < 1 year) and in the rate of urgent accesses (p = 0.0002), but hospitalization rates did not differ compared to previous years. Furthermore, an anticipated peak in November 2021 was observed. In the 2021-2022 cohort of admitted children to the Pediatric Department, a statistically significative increased need of intensive care unit was detected (Odds Ratio 3.1, 95% CI 1.4-6.8 after adjustment for severity and clinical characteristics). Instead, respiratory support (type and duration) and length of hospital stay did not differ. RSV was the main etiological agent and RSV-bronchiolitis determined a more severe infection (type and duration of breathing support, intensive care need and length of hospital stay). CONCLUSIONS: During Sars-CoV-2 lockdowns (2020-2021), there was a dramatic decrease of bronchiolitis and others respiratory infections. In the following season, 2021-2022, an overall increase of cases with an anticipated peak was observed and data analysis confirmed that patients in 2021-2022 required more intensive care than children in the four previous seasons.

Hemogram-based decision tree models for discriminating COVID-19 from RSV in infants.

OBJECTIVE: Decision trees are efficient and reliable decision-making algorithms, and medicine has reached its peak of interest in these methods during the current pandemic. Herein, we reported several decision tree algorithms for a rapid discrimination between coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in infants. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 77 infants: 33 infants with novel betacoronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection and 44 infants with RSV infection. In total, 23 hemogram-based instances were used to construct the decision tree models via 10-fold cross-validation method. RESULTS: The Random forest model showed the highest accuracy (81.8%), while in terms of sensitivity (72.7%), specificity (88.6%), positive predictive value (82.8%), and negative predictive value (81.3%), the optimized forest model was the most superior one. CONCLUSION: Random forest and optimized forest models might have significant clinical applications, helping to speed up decision-making when SARS-CoV-2 and RSV are suspected, prior to molecular genome sequencing and/or antigen testing.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Veneto Region: Analysis of Hospital Discharge Records from 2007 to 2021.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a known cause of acute lower respiratory infections in infants and young children. The present study aims to analyze the temporal trends and characteristics of hospitalization related to RSV in the Veneto region (Italy) in the period between 2007 and 2021. The analysis is performed on all the hospital discharge records (HDRs) of public and accredited private hospitals corresponding to hospitalizations occurring in the Veneto region (Italy). HDRs are considered if they included at least one of the following ICD9-CM codes: 079.6-Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV); 466.11-acute bronchiolitis due to RSV; and 480.1-pneumonia due to RSV. Total annual cases, sex, and age-specific rates and trends are evaluated. Overall, an increasing trend in the number of hospitalizations due to RSV was observed between 2007 and 2019, with a slight drop in RSV seasons 2013-2014 and 2014-2015. From March 2020 to September 2021, almost no hospitalization was registered, but in the last quarter of 2021, the number of hospitalizations reached its highest value in the series. Our data confirm the preponderance of RSV hospitalizations in infants and young children, the seasonality of RSV hospitalizations, and acute bronchiolitis as the most frequent diagnosis. Interestingly, the data also show the existence of a significant burden of disease and a non-negligible number of deaths also in older adults. The present study confirms RSV is associated with high rates of hospitalization in infants and sheds light on the burden in the 70+ age group in which a considerable number of deaths was observed, as well as the parallelism with other countries, which is consistent with a wide underdiagnoses issue.

Risk factors, clinical characteristics and prognostic value of acute kidney injury in COVID-19 compared with influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus.

BACKGROUND: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) complicates a substantial part of patients with COVID-19. Direct viral penetration of renal cells through the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 receptor, and indirect damage by the aberrant inflammatory response characteristic of COVID-19 are likely mechanisms. Nevertheless, other common respiratory viruses such as Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are also associated with AKI. METHODS: We retrospectively compared the incidence, risk factors and outcomes of AKI among patients who were admitted to a tertiary hospital because of infection with COVID-19, influenza (A + B) or RSV. RESULTS: We collected data of 2593 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, 2041 patients with influenza and 429 with RSV. Patients affected by RSV were older, had more comorbidities and presented with higher rates of AKI at admission and within 7 days (11.7% vs. 13.3% vs. 18% for COVID-19, influenza and RSV, respectively p = 0.001). Nevertheless, patients hospitalized with COVID-19 had higher mortality (18% with COVID-19 vs. 8.6% and 13.5% for influenza and RSV, respectively P < 0.001) and higher need of mechanical ventilation (12.4% vs. 6.5% vs.8.2% for COVID-19, influenza and RSV, respectively, P = 0.002). High ferritin levels and low oxygen saturation were independent risk factors for severe AKI only in the COVID-19 group. AKI in the first 48 h of admission and in the first 7 days of hospitalization were strong independent risk factors for adverse outcome in all groups. CONCLUSION: Despite many reports of direct kidney injury by SARS-COV-2, AKI was less in patients with COVID-19 compared to influenza and RSV patients. AKI was a prognostic marker for adverse outcome across all viruses.

Clinical Presentation and Severity of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Compared to Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Other Viral Respiratory Infections in Children Less than Two Years of Age.

The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the implementation of restrictive measures led to a dramatic reduction in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) occurrence together with rare and mild bronchiolitis induced by SARS-CoV-2. We described the respiratory picture of SARS-CoV-2 infection and evaluated the frequency and the severity of SARS-CoV-2 bronchiolitis comparing it with other respiratory viral infections in children less than two years of age. The severity of respiratory involvement was evaluated based on the need for oxygen therapy, intravenous hydration, and the length of hospital stay. A total of 138 children hospitalized for respiratory symptoms were enrolled: 60 with SARS-CoV-2 and 78 with RSV. In the group of SARS-CoV-2-infected children, 13/60 (21%) received a diagnosis of co-infection. Among the enrolled children, 87/138 (63%) received a diagnosis of bronchiolitis. The comparative evaluation showed a higher risk of the need for oxygen therapy and intravenous hydration in children with RSV infection and co-infection compared to children with SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the children with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis, no differences in the main outcomes among the groups were observed. Although children with SARS-CoV-2 infection have less severe respiratory effects than adults, the pediatrician should pay attention to bronchiolitis due to SARS-CoV-2, which could have a severe clinical course in younger children.

The seasonality of respiratory syncytial virus in Western Australia prior to implementation of SARS-CoV-2 non-pharmaceutical interventions.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) seasonality is dependent on the local climate. We assessed the stability of RSV seasonality prior to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Western Australia (WA), a state spanning temperate and tropical regions. Method: RSV laboratory testing data were collected from January 2012 to December 2019. WA was divided into three regions determined by population density and climate: Metropolitan, Northern and Southern. Season threshold was calculated per region at 1.2% annual cases, with onset the first of ≥2 weeks above this threshold and offset as the last week before ≥2 weeks below. Results: The detection rate of RSV in WA was 6.3/10,000. The Northern region had the highest detection rate (15/10,000), more than 2.5 times the Metropolitan region (detection rate ratio 2.7; 95% CI, 2.6-2.9). Test percentage positive was similar in the Metropolitan (8.6%) and Southern (8.7%) regions, with the lowest in the Northern region (8.1%). RSV seasons in the Metropolitan and Southern regions occurred annually, with a single peak and had consistent timing and intensity. The Northern tropical region did not experience a distinct season. Proportion of RSV A to RSV B in the Northern region differed from the Metropolitan region in 5 of the 8 years studied. Conclusions: Detection rate of RSV in WA is high, especially in the Northern region, where climate, an expanded at-risk population and increased testing may have contributed to greater numbers. Before the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, RSV seasonality in WA was consistent in timing and intensity for the Metropolitan and Southern regions.

Wastewater concentrations of human influenza, metapneumovirus, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, and seasonal coronavirus nucleic-acids during the COVID-19 pandemic: a surveillance study.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality; however, surveillance for circulating respiratory viruses is passive and biased. Wastewater-based epidemiology has been used to understand SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection rates at a community level but has not been used to investigate other respiratory viruses. We aimed to use wastewater-based epidemiology to understand community viral respiratory infection occurrence. METHODS: A retrospective wastewater-based epidemiology surveillance study was carried out at a large wastewater treatment plant located in California, USA. Using droplet digital RT-PCR, we measured RNA concentrations of influenza A and influenza B viruses, RSV A and RSV B, parainfluenza (1-4) viruses, rhinovirus, seasonal coronaviruses, and metapneumovirus in wastewater solids three times per week for 17 months (216 samples) between Feb 1, 2021, and June 21, 2022. Novel probe-based RT-PCR assays for non-influenza viral targets were developed and validated. We compared viral RNA concentrations to positivity rates for viral infections from clinical specimens submitted to California Sentinel Clinical Laboratories (sentinel laboratories) to assess concordance between the two datasets. FINDINGS: We detected RNA from all tested viruses in wastewater solids. Human rhinovirus (median concentration 4300 [0-9500] copies per gram dry weight) and seasonal human coronaviruses (35 000 [17 000-56 000]) were found at the highest concentrations. Concentrations of viral RNA correlated significantly and positively with positivity rates of associated viral diseases from sentinel laboratories (tau 0·32-0·57, p<0·0009); the only exceptions were influenza B and RSV A, which were rarely detected in wastewater solids. Measurements from wastewater indicated coronavirus OC43 dominated the seasonal human coronavirus infections whereas parainfluenza 3 dominated among parainfluenza infections during the study period. Concentrations of all tested viral RNA decreased noticeably after the omicron BA.1 surge suggesting a connection between changes in human behaviour during the surge and transmission of all respiratory viruses. INTERPRETATION: Wastewater-based epidemiology can be used to obtain information on circulation of respiratory viruses at a localised, community level without the need to test many individuals because a single sample of wastewater represents the entire contributing community. Results from wastewater can be available within 24 h of sample collection, generating real time information to inform public health responses, clinical decision making, and individual behaviour modifications. FUNDING: CDC Foundation.

Clinical performance evaluation of the Fluorecare® SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza A/B & RSV rapid antigen combo test in symptomatic individuals.

BACKGROUND: A SARS-CoV-2+Flu A/B+RSV Combo Rapid test may be more relevant than Rapid Antigen Diagnostic (RAD) tests targeting only SARS-CoV-2 since we are facing a concurrent circulation of these viruses during the winter season. OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical performance of a SARS-CoV-2+Flu A/B+RSV Combo test in comparison to a multiplex RT-qPCR. STUDY DESIGN: Residual nasopharyngeal swabs issued from 178 patients were included. All patients, adults and children, were symptomatic and presented at the emergency department with flu-like symptoms. Characterization of the infectious viral agent was done by RT-qPCR. The viral load was expressed as cycle threshold (Ct). Samples were then tested using the multiplex RAD test Fluorecare®à¸ SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza A/B & RSV Antigen Combo Test. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the test varies according to the virus, with the highest sensitivity observed for Influenza A (80.8.% [95%CI: 67.2 - 94.4]) and the lowest sensitivity observed for RSV (41.5% [95%CI: 26.2 - 56.8]). Higher sensitivities were observed for samples with high viral loads (Ct < 20) and decrease with low viral loads. The specificity for SARS-CoV-2, RSV and Influenza A and B was >95%. CONCLUSIONS: The Fluorecare® combo antigenic presents satisfying performance in real-life clinical setting for Influenza A and B in samples with high viral load. This could be useful to allow a rapid (self-)isolation as the transmissibility of these viruses increase with the viral load. According to our results, its use to rule-out SARS-CoV-2 and RSV infection is not sufficient.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus and influenza infections in hospitalized children before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Central China.

Background: Globally, the epidemiology of non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus was remarkably influenced by the implementation of non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study explored the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pediatric patients hospitalized with RSV or influenza infection before and during the pandemic after relaxation of NPIs in central China. Methods: This hospital-based prospective case-series study screened pediatric inpatients (age ≤ 14 years) enrolled with acute respiratory infections (ARI) for RSV or influenza infection from 2018 to 2021. The changes in positivity rates of viral detection, epidemiological, and clinical characteristics were analyzed and compared. Results: Median ages of all eligible ARI patients from 2018-2019 were younger than those from 2020-2021, so were ages of cases infected with RSV or influenza (RSV: 4.2 months vs. 7.2 months; influenza: 27.3 months vs. 37.0 months). Where the positivity rate for influenza was considerably decreased in 2020-2021 (1.4%, 27/1964) as compared with 2018-2019 (2.9%, 94/3275, P < 0.05), it was increased for RSV (11.4% [372/3275] vs. 13.3% [262/1964], P < 0.05) in the same period. The number of severe cases for both RSV and influenza infection were also decreased in 2020-2021 compared with 2018-2019. Conclusions: The implemented NPIs have had varied impacts on common respiratory viruses. A more effective prevention strategy for RSV infections in childhood is needed.

Rapid differential diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A/B and respiratory syncytial viruses: Validation of a novel RT-PCR assay.

BACKGROUND: Influenza and respiratory syncytial (RSV) viruses are expected to co-circulate with SARS-CoV-2 in the upcoming seasons and clinical differential diagnosis between them is difficult. Laboratory-based RT-PCR is a gold standard diagnostic method for influenza, RSV and SARS-CoV-2. The objective of this study was to estimate the diagnostic performance of a novel point-of-care RT-PCR assay STANDARD M10 Flu/RSV/SARS-CoV-2 (SD Biosensor) in a large number of clinical specimens with diversified (co)-infection patterns and viral loads. METHODS: This was a retrospective study, in which all samples were tested in both STANDARD M10 Flu/RSV/SARS-CoV-2 index and Allplex SARS-CoV-2/Respiratory Panel 1 (Seegene) reference kits. Samples with discordant results were further processed in a third resolver test (Resp-4-Plex, Abbott). RESULTS: A total of 1,019 naso-/oropharyngeal samples (50.3% positive for at least one virus) were processed in both STANDARD M10 Flu/RSV/SARS-CoV-2 and Allplex assays and the overall between-assay agreement was as high as 94.6%. Positive percent agreement of the STANDARD M10 Flu/RSV/SARS-CoV-2 was 100%, 96.6%, 97.3% and 99.4% for influenza A, B, RSV and SARS-CoV-2, respectively. The corresponding negative percent agreement was 99.7%. 100%, 100% and 98.4%, respectively. The expected positive and negative predictive values for all viruses were constantly above 96% in a reasonable range of disease prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: STANDARD M10 Flu/RSV/SARS-CoV-2 is a reliable RT-PCR assay able to detect influenza A, influenza B, RSV and SARS-CoV-2 in one hour or less, fostering a rapid differential diagnosis of common respiratory viruses.

Focusing on severe infections with the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in adults: Risk factors, symptomatology and clinical course compared to influenza A / B and the original SARS-CoV-2 strain.

BACKGROUND: The role and impact of RSV in the adult population is not well understood and comparative data of RSV infection, influenza A/B and SARS-CoV-2 in the elderly hospitalized for respiratory infections is limited. METHODS: In a retrospective, monocentric study we analyzed data of adult patients with respiratory infections tested positive by PCR for RSV, Influenza A/B and SARS-CoV-2 over a four-year period from 2017 to 2020. Symptoms on admission, laboratory results, and risk factors were assessed, and the clinical course and outcomes were studied. RESULTS: A total of 1541 patients hospitalized with respiratory disease and PCR positive for one of the 4 viruses were enrolled in the study. RSV was the second most prevalent virus before the COVID-19 pandemic and RSV patients represent the oldest group in this study with an average age of 75 years. Neither clinical nor laboratory characteristics differ clearly between RSV, Influenza A / B and SARS-CoV-2 infections. Up to 85% of patients had risk factors, with COPD and kidney disease found particularly frequently in RSV infections. Hospital stay was 12.66 days for RSV patients and thus significantly longer than for influenza A / B (10.88 and 8.86, respectively, p < 0.001), but shorter than for SARS-CoV-2 (17.87 days, p < 0.001). The risk for ICU admission and the rate of mechanical ventilation were also higher for RSV than for influenza A (OR 1.69 (p = 0.020) and 1.59 (p = 0.050)) and influenza B: (1.98 (p = 0.018) and 2.33 (p < 0.001)), but lower than for SARS-CoV-2 (0.65 (p < 0.001) and 0.59 (p = 0.035)). The risk of hospital mortality for RSV was increased compared with influenza A (1.55 (p = 0.050)) and influenza B (1.42 (p = 0.262)), but lower compared to SARs-CoV-2 (0.37 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: RSV infections in elderly are frequent and more severe than those with influenza A/B. While the impact of SARS-CoV-2 most likely decreased in the elderly population due to vaccination, RSV can be expected to continue to be problematic for elderly patients, especially those with comorbidities and thus, more awareness on the disastrous impact of RSV in this age group is urgently needed.

Clinical characteristics of hospitalized term and preterm infants with community-acquired viral pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is a serious problem that threatens the health of newborns. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of hospitalized term and preterm infants with community-acquired viral pneumonia. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of cases of community-acquired viral pneumonia in the Neonatal Department. Nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) samples were collected for pathogen detection, and clinical data were collected. We analysed pathogenic species and clinical characteristics among these infants. RESULTS: RSV is the main virus in term infants, and parainfluenza virus (PIV) 3 is the main virus in preterm infants. Patients infected with PIV3 were more susceptible to coinfection with bacteria than those with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection (p < 0.05). Preterm infants infected with PIV3 were more likely to be coinfected with bacteria than term infants (p < 0.05), mainly gram-negative bacteria (especially Klebsiella pneumonia). Term infants with bacterial infection were more prone to fever, cyanosis, moist rales, three concave signs, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, respiratory failure and the need for higher level of oxygen support and mechanical ventilation than those with simple viral infection (p < 0.05). The incidence of hyponatremia in neonatal community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) was high. CONCLUSIONS: RSV and PIV3 were the leading causes of neonatal viral CAP. PIV3 infection is the main cause of viral CAP in preterm infants, and these individuals are more likely to be coinfected with bacteria than term infants, mainly gram-negative bacteria. Term infants with CAP coinfected with bacteria were more likely to have greater disease severity than those with single viral infections.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a ubiquitous virus and infects nearly every child before their second birthday. Causing a wide array of symptoms, ranging from a mild cold to respiratory failure and even death, it is an illness that every general pediatrician will encounter on a yearly basis. It is important to know which populations are at risk for severe disease and what we can do to protect them from RSV and treat them if they do contract it. Many preventive measures are being studied, but so far, RSV has proved a challenging virus to capture and control. As our technology and knowledge grow, there is hope for a vaccine, more attainable and longer-lasting immunoprophylaxis, and better treatment options for those who do contract the disease. [Pediatr Ann. 2022;51(10):e376-e378.].

Clinical impact of the rapid molecular detection of RSV and influenza A and B viruses in the emergency department.

INTRODUCTION: Using respiratory virus rapid diagnostic tests in the emergency department could allow better and faster clinical management. Point-of-care PCR instruments now provide results in less than 30 minutes. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the use of a rapid molecular diagnostic test, the cobas® Influenza A/B & RSV Assay, during the clinical management of emergency department patients. METHODS: Patients (adults and children) requiring admission or suffering from an underlying condition at risk of respiratory complications were prospectively recruited in the emergency department of four hospitals in the Brussels region. Physicians' intentions regarding admission, isolation, antibiotic, and antiviral use were collected before and after performing the rapid molecular test. Additionally, a comparison of the analytical performance of this test against antigen rapid tests and viral culture was performed as well as a time-to-result evaluation. RESULTS: Among the 293 patients recruited, 90 had a positive PCR, whereas 44 had a positive antigen test. PCR yielded a sensitivity of 100% for all targets. Antigen tests yielded sensitivities ranging from 66.7% for influenza B to 83.3% for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The use of PCR allowed a decrease in the overall need for isolation and treatment by limiting the isolation of negative patients and antibiotic use for positive patients. Meanwhile, antiviral treatments better targeted patients with a positive influenza PCR. CONCLUSION: The use of a rapid influenza and RSV molecular test improves the clinical management of patients admitted to the emergency department by providing a fast and reliable result. Their additional cost compared to antigen tests should be balanced with the benefit of their analytical performance, leading to efficient reductions in the need for isolation and antibiotic use.