In-Depth Analysis of the Re-Emergence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Germany in the Summer of 2021 after the Alleviation of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions Due to the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic.
Viruses
; 15(4)2023 03 29.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2296563
ABSTRACT
Following the extensive non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and behavioral changes in the wake of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, an interseasonal rise in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases was observed in Germany in 2021. The aim of this study was to characterize the local molecular epidemiology of RSV infections in comparison to the three pre-pandemic seasons. Additionally, clinical data were retrieved from patient charts to determine the clinical significance of RSV infections. RSV detections peaked in calendar week 40 of 2021, 18 weeks earlier than the usual peak observed in the three pre-pandemic seasons. Sequence analysis revealed a close phylogenetic relatedness regardless of the season of origin. A significantly higher amount of pediatric cases (88.9% of all cases, p < 0.001) was observed for season 2021/2022. For the pediatric cases, significant differences were observed for an increased number of siblings in the household (p = 0.004), a lower rate of fever (p = 0.007), and a reduced amount of co-infections (p = 0.001). Although the mean age of the adult patients was significantly younger (47.1 vs. 64.7, p < 0.001), high rates of comorbidities, lower respiratory tract infections and intensive care unit admissions prevailed. The NPIs in the wake of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic had a tremendous impact on the epidemiologic characteristics and seasonality of RSV and warrant further epidemiologic studies of this important pathogen.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Respiratory Tract Infections
/
Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human
/
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Adult
/
Child
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
V15040877
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS