Evaluation of Incidence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus, SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A/B, and Adenovirus Cases via Rapid Tests in Community during the Winter 2023 Season. A Cross Sectional Study (preprint)

ABSTRACT

Respiratory infections constitute a major reason for infants and children seeking medical advice and visiting health facilities, thus remaining a significant public threat with high morbidity and mortality. The predominant viruses causing viral respiratory infections are influenza A and B viruses (Flu-A, Flu-B), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Adenovirus and Coronaviruses. We aimed to record the incidence of RSV, SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A/B and Adenovirus cases with rapid antigen tests and validate the results with RT-PCR assay of upper respiratory specimens with a wide range of viral loads and (co)-infection patterns in children. Clinical samples were collected from early symptomatic children (presenting with fever and/or cough and/or headache within 5–7 days). The surveillance program was conducted in five private pediatrician dispensaries and one Pediatric care unit, from 10 January 2023 to 30 March 2023 in central Greece. The total sample of specimens collected was 784 young children and infants, of which 383 (48.8%) ware female and 401 were male (51.2%). The mean age of participants was 7.3 + 5.5 years. The sensitivity of FLU A & B test was 91.15% (95% CI 84.33% -95.67%), and the specificity was 98.96% (95% CI 97.86% - 99.58%). The sensitivity and specificity of the adenovirus and RSV test was {92.45% (95% CI 81.79% - 97.91%), 99.32% (95% CI 98.41% -99.78%)} and {92.59% (95% CI 75.71% -99.09%), 99.47% (95% CI 98.65% - 99.86%)} respectively. Lastly, the sensitivity of the SARS-CoV-2 test was 100.00% (95% CI 79.41%-100.00%) and the specificity was 99.74% (95% CI 99.06% - 99.97%). We recorded proportion of incidence for the Influenza-A and B, (14.3%), - (3.44%) correspondingly, followed by the adenovirus with a proportion (6.9%) and the RSV with (3.7%) incidence proportion and finally, the SARS-CoV-2 (2.3%). The combination of a new multiple rapid test with multiple antigens, will be probably a useful tool with financial impact for health systems targeting the early detection and right treatment of respiratory infections in the emergency departments in primary health care facilities.