Variability in the Timing of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Epidemics in Guatemala, 2008-2018.

BACKGROUND: The description of local seasonality patterns in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) incidence is important to guide the timing of administration of RSV immunization products. METHODS: We characterized RSV seasonality in Guatemala using the moving epidemic method (MEM) with absolute counts of RSV-associated acute respiratory infections (ARI) from hospital surveillance in Santa Rosa and Quetzaltenango departments of Guatemala. RESULTS: From Week 17 of 2008 through Week 16 of 2018, 8487 ARI cases tested positive for RSV by rRT-PCR. Season onsets varied up to 5 months; early seasons starting in late May to early August and finishing in September to November were most common, but late seasons starting in October to November and finishing in March to April were also observed. Both epidemic patterns had similar durations ranging from 4 to 6 months. Epidemic thresholds (the levels of virus activity that signal the onset and end of a seasonal epidemic) calculated prospectively using previous seasons' data captured between 70% and 99% of annual RSV detections. Onset weeks differed by 2-10 weeks, and offset weeks differed by 2-16 weeks between the two surveillance sites. CONCLUSIONS: Variability in the timing of seasonal RSV epidemics in Guatemala demonstrates the difficulty in precisely predicting the timing of seasonal RSV epidemics based on onset weeks from past seasons and suggests that maximal reduction in RSV disease burden would be achieved through year-round vaccination and immunoprophylaxis administration to at-risk infants.

Effectiveness of nirsevimab introduction against respiratory syncytial virus in the Valencian Community: A preliminary assessment.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) represents a high burden of disease in children and the primary cause of hospitalization, especially in children under 1 year old. In the Valencian Community (Spain), nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody, was introduced for the RSV 2023-2024 season as a universal pre-exposure prophylaxis for high-risk children and those under 6 months old. This study examines its impact, coverage, and effectiveness. The campaign achieved 88.5 % coverage and 73.7 % of effectiveness. Analysis of over 27,000 susceptible children (over 24,000 immunized), showed that those immunized exhibited a threefold reduction in RSV incidence compared to non-immunized ones. To prevent one case, the number needed to immunize (NNI) was 63. Hospitalizations due to acute respiratory infections were almost two times lower in immunized children compared to non-immunized ones (0.9 % vs 1.6 %, respectively). These first results showcase the preliminary positive impact of this public health intervention.

Respiratory syncytial virus infection: survival experience in a cohort of children inpatients.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the survival experience of children hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection due to bronchiolitis. STUDY DESIGN: This was a nationwide retrospective cohort study conducted in Mexico. METHODS: We analyzed data from 436 children aged 5 years and younger, with symptom onset between August 2021 and November 2022. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compute survivor functions and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: High survival rates were observed, particularly within the first three weeks of hospital admission. The 3-day survival rate was 99.8% (CI 98.4-99.9%), which decreased to 98.9% (CI 96.5-99.7%), 97.5% (CI 91.9-99.3%), 86.7% (CI 48.2-97.2%), and 69.4% (CI 24.2-91.0%) on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 of hospital stay, respectively. We documented a total of 5 fatal outcomes, resulting in a mortality rate of 2.1 (95% CI 0.9-5.1) per 1,000 person-days. CONCLUSIONS: Our study analyzed a large cohort of pediatric patients with bronchiolitis caused by RSV infection, providing valuable insights into the in-hospital progression of this disease.

Respiratory syncytial virus and other respiratory virus infections in residents of homeless shelters - King County, Washington, 2019-2021.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes disproportionate morbidity and mortality in vulnerable populations. We tested residents of homeless shelters in Seattle, Washington for RSV in a repeated cross-sectional study as part of community surveillance for respiratory viruses. Of 15 364 specimens tested, 35 had RSV detected, compared to 77 with influenza. The most common symptoms for both RSV and influenza were cough and rhinorrhea. Many individuals with RSV (39%) and influenza (58%) reported that their illness significantly impacted their ability to perform their regular activities. RSV and influenza demonstrated similar clinical presentations and burden of illness in vulnerable populations living in congregate settings.

Pediatric Respiratory Syncytial Virus Diagnostic Testing Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Adding additional specimen types (eg, serology or sputum) to nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) increases respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) detection among adults. We assessed if a similar increase occurs in children and quantified underascertainment associated with diagnostic testing. METHODS: We searched databases for studies involving RSV detection in persons <18 years using ≥2 specimen types or tests. We assessed study quality using a validated checklist. We pooled detection rates by specimen and diagnostic tests and quantified performance. RESULTS: We included 157 studies. Added testing of additional specimens to NP aspirate (NPA), NPS, and/or nasal swab (NS) RT-PCR resulted in statistically nonsignificant increases in RSV detection. Adding paired serology testing increased RSV detection by 10%, NS by 8%, oropharyngeal swabs by 5%, and NPS by 1%. Compared to RT-PCR, direct fluorescence antibody tests, viral culture, and rapid antigen tests were 87%, 76%, and 74% sensitive, respectively (pooled specificities all ≥98%). Pooled sensitivity of multiplex versus singleplex RT-PCR was 96%. CONCLUSIONS: RT-PCR was the most sensitive pediatric RSV diagnostic test. Adding multiple specimens did not substantially increase RSV detection, but even small proportional increases could result in meaningful changes in burden estimates. The synergistic effect of adding multiple specimens should be evaluated.

Improvement in Palivizumab Administration Prior to Discharge for Hospitalized Infants with Hemodynamically Significant Congenital Heart Disease: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

In this quality improvement initiative, we aimed to increase provider adherence with palivizumab administration guidelines for hospitalized infants with hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease. We included 470 infants over four respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) seasons from 11/2017 to 03/2021 (baseline season: 11/2017-03/2018). Interventions included the following: education, including palivizumab in the sign-out template, identifying a pharmacy expert, and a text alert (seasons 1 and 2: 11/2018-03/2020) that was replaced by an electronic health record (EHR) best practice alert (BPA) in season 3 (11/2020-03/2021). The text alert and BPA prompted providers to add "Need for RSV immunoprophylaxis" to the EHR problem list. The outcome metric was the percentage of eligible patients administered palivizumab prior to discharge. The process metric was the percentage of eligible patients with "Need for RSV immunoprophylaxis" on the EHR problem list. The balancing metric was the percentage of palivizumab doses administered to ineligible patients. A statistical process control P-chart was used to analyze the outcome metric. The mean percentage of eligible patients who received palivizumab prior to hospital discharge increased significantly from 70.1% (82/117) to 90.0% (86/96) in season 1 and to 97.9% (140/143) in season 3. Palivizumab guideline adherence was as high or higher for those with "Need for RSV immunoprophylaxis" on the problem list than for those without it in most time periods. The percentage of inappropriate palivizumab doses decreased from 5.7% (n = 5) at baseline to 4.4% (n = 4) in season 1 and 0.0% (n = 0) in season 3. Through this initiative, we improved adherence with palivizumab administration guidelines for eligible infants prior to hospital discharge.

Resurgence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Children: An Out-of-Season Epidemic in Portugal.

INTRODUCTION: An out-of-season increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) incidence was observed in Portugal from June 2021 onwards, revealing a continuing surge in cases throughout 2021/2022 autumn/winter. We aimed to describe this out-of-season epidemic and define its epidemic period, by analysing RSV incidence from week 40 of 2020 (2020-W40) to week 18 of 2022 (2022-W18). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Surveillance data on weekly RSV laboratory confirmed cases, in Portugal, was used to monitor RSV incidence using CUSUM test methodology for count data. RESULTS: In 2021-W23, the CUSUM score identified a significant increase in the risk of RSV. By that time, the percentage of RSV positive tests rose from 1% in 2021-W22 (3/265) to 6% in 2021-W23 (18/298). Despite a sharp decrease in RSV incidence on 2021-W33 and on 2022-W02, the CUSUM score stayed over the limit up to 2022-W07, indicating that the RSV activity remained at an epidemic level. Distinct peaks of RSV cases were observed between 2021-W30 and 2021-W32 (average of 77 RSV cases per week) and between 2021-W39 and 2021-W41 (average of 79 RSV cases per week) with positivity rates around 60%. CONCLUSION: An out-of-season RSV epidemic was identified, with a longer epidemic period compared with previous seasons. Possible reasons include relaxation of COVID-19 physical distancing measures and a greater proportion of population susceptible to disease. As several factors may change the pattern of RSV activity, countries should implement year-round surveillance RSV surveillance systems. These findings might have an impact on public health planning regarding future RSV surges, namely, on the palivizumab prophylaxis period for high-risk infants.

Underascertainment of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Adults Due to Diagnostic Testing Limitations: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Most observational population-based studies identify respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by nasal/nasopharyngeal swab reverse transcriptase real-time PCR (RT-PCR) only. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses to quantify specimen and diagnostic testing-based underascertainment of adult RSV infection. METHODS: EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched (January 2000-December 2021) for studies including adults using/comparing >1 RSV testing approach. We quantified test performance and RSV detection increase associated with using multiple specimen types. RESULTS: Among 8066 references identified, 154 met inclusion. Compared to RT-PCR, other methods were less sensitive: rapid antigen detection test (RADT; pooled sensitivity, 64%), direct fluorescent antibody (DFA; 83%), and viral culture (86%). Compared to singleplex PCR, multiplex PCR's sensitivity was lower (93%). Compared to nasal/nasopharyngeal swab RT-PCR alone, adding another specimen type increased detection: sputum RT-PCR, 52%; 4-fold rise in paired serology, 44%; and oropharyngeal swab RT-PCR, 28%. Sensitivity was lower in estimates limited to only adults (for RADT, DFA, and viral culture), and detection rate increases were largely comparable. CONCLUSIONS: RT-PCR, particularly singleplex testing, is the most sensitive RSV diagnostic test in adults. Adding additional specimen types to nasopharyngeal swab RT-PCR testing increased RSV detection. Synergistic effects of using ≥3 specimen types should be assessed, as this approach may improve the accuracy of adult RSV burden estimates.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of illness and death among older adults. Most studies of how frequent RSV infection is among older adults use only nasal swab testing to identify RSV infection. These nasal swabs are checked for genetic material from the virus, known as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. We examined published studies from January 2000 to December 2021 to estimate how many RSV infections would be missed by using only this approach to RSV testing. We found 154 studies had information to answer our question. Compared to PCR testing of nasal swab alone, adding sputum specimen PCR testing (ie, testing cough mucus or phlegm for RSV genetic material) increased RSV infections found by 52%. Adding blood testing increased RSV infections found by 44%. Adding mouth/throat swab PCR testing, increased RSV infections by 28%. In summary, adding additional specimen types to nasal swab PCR testing increased RSV detection. Impact of using 3 or more specimen types at the same time should be assessed, as this approach may further improve accuracy.

Daily intranasal palivizumab to prevent respiratory syncytial virus infection in healthy preterm infants: a phase 1/2b randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Mucosal administration of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against respiratory pathogens is a promising alternative for systemic administration because lower doses are required for protection. Clinical development of mucosal mAbs is a highly active field yet clinical proof-of-concept is lacking. Methods: In this investigator-initiated, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial, we evaluated intranasal palivizumab for the prevention of RSV infection in preterm infants (Dutch Trial Register NTR7378 and NTR7403). We randomized infants 1:1 to receive intranasal palivizumab (1 mg/mL) or placebo once daily during the RSV season. Any RSV infection was the primary outcome and RSV hospitalization was the key secondary outcome. The primary outcome was analyzed with a mixed effect logistic regression on the modified intention-to-treat population. Findings: We recruited 268 infants between Jan 14, 2019 and Jan 28, 2021, after which the trial was stopped for futility following the planned interim analysis. Adverse events were similar in both groups (22/134 (16.4%) palivizumab arm versus 26/134 (19.4%) placebo arm). There were 6 dropouts and 168 infants were excluded from the efficacy analyses due to absent RSV circulation during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Any RSV infection was similar in infants in both groups (18/47 (38.3%) palivizumab arm versus 11/47 (23.4%) placebo arm; aOR 2.2, 95% CI 0.7-6.5). Interpretation: Daily intranasal palivizumab did not prevent RSV infection in late preterm infants. Our findings have important implications for the clinical development of mucosal mAbs, namely the necessity of timely interim analyses and further research to understand mucosal antibody half-life. Funding: Funded by the Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Centre Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Infección respiratoria polimicrobiana: un caso de colonización multirresistente y coinfección viral en un lactante

Se presenta el caso de un lactante de 38 semanas ingresado con distrés respiratorio a un nosocomio al norte del Perú. Tras intubación y conexión a ventilación mecánica, se administró tratamiento antimicrobiano y sedoanalgesia. Durante la hospitalización, el paciente presentó fiebre, tos con expectoración quintosa, rubicundez facial y desaturación. Se observó edema en párpados, manos y pies, pero la perfusión tisular se mantuvo adecuada. En el cuarto día, sufrió convulsión febril, sibilancias respiratorias y oliguria con hematuria. Se realizaron cambios en el tratamiento y se administraron transfusiones. Al día 7, con apoyo del panel de PCR múltiple (FilmArray®) para el diagnóstico etiológico de enfermedades infecciosas respiratorias, se diagnosticó colonización/infección por Acinetobacter baumanni multirresistente, la cual se acompañó con la detección de Serratia marcescens y virus sincicial respiratorio. Tras una estancia prolongada se logró la extubación exitosa el día 10. El día 24, el paciente fue dado de alta sin fiebre, signos vitales estables y sin requerir oxígeno, solo tratamiento para las convulsiones.

A case is presented of a 38-week-old infant admitted with respiratory distress to a hospital in northern Perú. After intubation and connection to mechanical ventilation, antimicrobial treatment and sedoanalgesia were administered. During hospitalizaron, the patient experienced fever, cough with quintose expectoration, facial rubor, and desaturation. Edema was observed in the eyelids, hands, and feet, but tissue perfusion remained adequate. On the fourth day, the patient had a febrile seizure, respiratory wheezing, and oliguria with hematuria. Treatment changes were made, and transfusions were administered. On the seventh day, using the FilmArray® multiplex PCR panel for etiological diagnosis of respiratory infectious diseases, colonization/infection by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumanni was diagnosed, accompanied by the detection of Serratia marcescens and respiratory syncytial virus. After a prolonged stay, successfu extubation was achieved on day 10. On day 24, the patient was discharged without fever, stable vital signs, and without requiring oxygen only treatment for seizures.

Temporal-spatial analysis of hospitalizations for bronchiolitis in Brazil: prediction of epidemic regions and periods for immunization against the Respiratory Syncytial Virus / Análise temporal-espacial de hospitalizações por bronquiolite no Brasil: previsão das regiões e períodos epidêmicos para imunização contra o vírus sincicial respiratório

Abstract Objective: Due to the high cost and short term of passive immunization against the respiratory syncytial virus, the main virus causing acute viral bronchiolitis, predicting epidemic regions and epidemic months is extremely important. The objective of this study is to identify both the month when the seasonal peak begins and Brazilian regions and states with the highest incidence of monthly hospitalizations due acute viral bronchiolitis. Methods: Based on data obtained from DATASUS, monthly hospitalization rates due acute viral bronchiolitis were calculated for every 10,000 live births to children under 12 months of age in all Brazilian states and the Federal District between 2000 and 2019. Seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average models were estimated to forecast monthly hospitalization rates in 2020. Results: A higher incidence of hospitalizations was found for male children, especially under six months of age. As for Brazilian regions, between 2000 and 2019, the South region registered the highest incidence of hospitalizations, followed by the Southeast, Midwest, North and Northeast regions, in this order. Considering the seasonal peak, the period between March and July 2020 comprised the highest expected hospitalization rates. Conclusions: Palivizumab is suggested to be started between February/March and June/July for most Brazilian states, with the exception of Rio Grande do Sul, which, in addition to presenting the highest rates of hospitalizations for acute viral bronchiolitis per 10,000 live births, has the longest seasonal peak between May and September.

RESUMO Objetivo: Em razão do alto custo e do curto prazo da imunização passiva contra o vírus sincicial respiratório, principal vírus causador de bronquiolite viral aguda, a previsão das regiões e meses epidêmicos é extremamente importante. Objetiva-se identificar o mês de início do pico sazonal e as regiões e Estados brasileiros de maior incidência de hospitalizações mensais por bronquiolite viral aguda. Métodos: Com dados obtidos no Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde do Brasil, foram calculadas as taxas mensais de hospitalizações por bronquiolite viral aguda a cada 10 mil nascidos vivos de crianças com idade inferior a 12 meses, em todos os Estados brasileiros e no Distrito Federal, no período entre 2000 e 2019. Modelos sazonais autorregressivos integrados e de médias móveis foram estimados para a previsão das taxas mensais de hospitalizações em 2020. Resultados: Verificou-se maior incidência de hospitalizações em crianças do sexo masculino, principalmente naquelas com idade inferior a seis meses. Em relação às regiões brasileiras, entre 2000 e 2019, a Região Sul apresentou a maior incidência de hospitalizações, seguida pelas Regiões Sudeste, Centro-Oeste, Norte e Nordeste, respectivamente. Quanto ao pico sazonal, o período entre março e julho de 2020 compreende as maiores taxas de hospitalizações previstas. Conclusões: Sugere-se o início da administração do Palivizumab entre fevereiro/março e junho/julho para a maioria dos Estados brasileiros, com exceção do Rio Grande do Sul, que, além de apresentar as maiores taxas de hospitalizações por bronquiolite viral aguda a cada 10.000 nascidos vivos, possui o pico sazonal de maior duração entre maio e setembro.

[RSV and associated diseases]. / Le VRS et les maladies associées.

Similarly to many respiratory viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is surprising in its ability to reinfect children and adults who have already been immunized. It is not so much in the evolution of its genome that we must look for the cause, but more probably in the structure/function of its viral proteins, which are capable of interfering with the immune response and memory. After an incubation of three to eight days, RSV infection most often results in nasopharyngitis with little or no fever. RSV infection of the respiratory epithelium is characterized by marked mucus production, desquamation of infected respiratory cells and persistent impairment of mucociliary transport. The extension of the infection to the lower respiratory tract therefore contributes to the formation of mucous plugs obstructing the lumen of the bronchioles. This is the cause of the clinical most commonly associated with RSV infection: bronchiolitis in newborns and infants which is a frequent reason for hospitalization due to secondary respiratory and digestive complications. The recent data from the literature, however, indicate that by far the most frequent complication is a community infection: acute otitis media. RSV infections are therefore a very common reason for the prescription of antibiotics.

Comme de nombreux virus respiratoires, le virus respiratoire syncytial (VRS) nous étonne par sa capacité à réinfecter les enfants et adultes déjà immunisés. Ce n'est pas tant du côté de l'évolution de son génome qu'il faut en chercher la cause, mais plus probablement dans la structure/ fonction de ses protéines virales capables d'interférer avec la réponse et la mémoire immunitaire. Après une incubation de trois à huit jours, l'infection à VRS se traduit le plus souvent par une rhinopharyngite peu ou pas fébrile. L'infection de l'épithélium respiratoire par le VRS se caractérise par une production marquée de mucus, une desquamation des cellules respiratoires infectées et une altération persistante du transport mucociliaire. L'extension de l'infection vers l'appareil respiratoire bas contribue ainsi à la formation de bouchons muqueux obstruant la lumière des bronchioles. Elle est à l'origine du tableau clinique le plus communément associé à l'infection à VRS : la bronchiolite des nouveau-nés et des nourrissons qui est un motif fréquent d'hospitalisation du fait des complications respiratoires et digestives secondaires. Pourtant les données récentes de la littérature indiquent que la complication de loin la plus fréquente est une infection communautaire : l'otite moyenne aiguë. Les infections à VRS sont donc une cause très fréquente de prescription d'antibiotiques.

[Epidemiology and the burden of RSV]. / Épidémiologie et fardeau du VRS.

RSV is an almost obligatory virus responsible for upper (rhinitis and otitis) and lower (bronchiolitis and asthma attack) respiratory infections in children under 5 years of age. Reinfections are frequent at all ages because immunity is only partial and does not last long. Young children under the age of 1 are the most affected. The majority of these children are healthy. Having a risk factor (premature birth, heart disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, but also passive smoking) increases the severity of RSV pathology. Very few children currently benefit from prevention by anti-RSV monoclonal antibodies. The annual cost of care, the various socio-economic costs are a public health reality in three care sectors: out-patient, pediatric emergencies, hospitalization. Subsequent consequences: repeated wheezing and asthma, should also be taken into consideration and integrated into public health decisions. Progress in recognizing this pathology is desirable: distribution of diagnostic tests in the city; providing parents with information.

Le VRS est un virus quasi obligatoire responsable d'infections respiratoires hautes (rhinite et otite) et basses (bronchiolite et crise d'asthme) chez l'enfant de moins de 5 ans. Les réinfections sont fréquentes du fait d'une immunité partielle, peu durable, à tous les âges de la vie. Les jeunes enfants de moins de 1 an sont les plus touchés. La majorité de ces enfants sont bien portants. Avoir un facteur de risque (prématurité, cardiopathie, dysplasie bronchopulmonaire mais aussi tabagisme passif) majore la sévérité de la pathologie à VRS. Très peu d'enfants bénéficient actuellement d'une prévention par les anticorps monoclonaux anti-VRS. La charge annuelle en soins, les coûts socioéconomiques variés constituent une réalité de santé publique portant sur les trois secteurs de soins : ambulatoire, urgences pédiatriques, hospitalisation.Les conséquences ultérieures : répétition de wheezing, asthme, devraient aussi être pris en considération et intégrés dans les décisions de santé publique.Des progrès dans la reconnaissance de cette pathologie sont souhaitables : diffusion des tests diagnostiques en ville ; information aux parents.

[Diagnosis and treatment of VRS]. / Diagnostic et prise en charge du VRS.

Acute bronchiolitis is a very common condition in infants. It has a major effect on consultations in cities and use of hospital emergency rooms. The analysis of clinical data makes it easily to confirm the diagnosis and to assess the severity at the time of the evaluation, which determines the rest of the treatment. In all cases, families should be provided with simple monitoring advice given the potentially rapid development of the signs, especially in the youngest infants and those with vulnerability criteria.

La bronchiolite aiguë est une affection très courante chez le nourrisson. Son impact chaque année sur les consultations de ville et le recours aux urgences hospitalières est majeur. L'analyse des données cliniques permet de confirmer aisément le diagnostic et d'apprécier la gravité au moment de l'évaluation, conditionnant la suite de la prise en charge. Dans tous les cas, des conseils simples de surveillance devront être donnés aux familles compte tenu de l'évolution potentiellement rapide des signes, notamment chez les plus jeunes nourrissons et ceux présentant des critères de vulnérabilité.

[Unmet medical need in RSV prevention and future prevention strategies]. / Besoin médical non satisfait dans la prévention du VRS et stratégies de prévention à venir.

Each year, there are more than 45.000 hospitalizations in France attributable to RSV. The development of a maternal vaccine and long half-life monoclonal antibodies against RSV suggests a change in prevention strategy from a small group of very high-risk children (extreme preterm infants, newborn with hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease or with other rare conditions) to all newborns in the pre-epidemic and epidemic periods or throughout all the year.

Chaque année, il y a plus de 45 000 hospitalisations en France imputables au VRS. La mise en point d'un vaccin maternel et d'anticorps monoclonaux à longue demi-vie contre le VRS fait entrevoir une modification de la stratégie de prévention qui toucherait non plus un petit groupe d'enfants à très haut risque (extrêmes prématurés, nouveau-nés avec cardiopathie congénitale hémodynamiquement significative ou autres pathologies rares) mais l'ensemble des nouveau-nés en pré-période et période épidémique ou durant toute l'année.

The Impact of Rapid PCR Testing for Viral Respiratory Infections on Acute Admissions From the Emergency Department and Inpatient Length of Stay.

Background: Diagnosing influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) with conventional multiplex respiratory viral polymerase chain reaction (PCR) takes 24-72 hours compared with under two hours for recently available rapid PCR tests. We investigated the impact of rapid diagnosis of acute respiratory viral infection on admission odds from the emergency department (ED) and acute inpatient length of stay (LOS), as well as concordance between the rapid and conventional PCR tests used at our institution. Methods: Single-center retrospective cohort study of patients presenting to the ED with influenza-like illness. We compared the odds of admission and acute LOS in patients investigated with rapid PCR, those investigated with conventional PCR, and those investigated with both tests. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the odds of admission, while linear regression was used to assess LOS. Results: There was no significant change in the odds of admission among patients who received the rapid PCR compared to conventional PCR (odds ratio: 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50-2.02; p = 0.96). There was also no significant difference in LOS of admitted patients who received rapid PCR testing (regression coefficient: -0.32, 95% CI: -1.75 to 1.12; p = 0.66). The rapid PCR test used at our institution yielded fully concordant results with conventional PCR testing. Conclusions: Rapid PCR testing is as sensitive as conventional PCR testing for the diagnosis of influenza and RSV but is neither associated with a significant impact on admission nor inpatient LOS. Further research is needed to assess the impact of rapid testing on isolation room use.

Inequalities in Health Impact of Alternative Reimbursement Pathways for Nirsevimab in the United States.

The target populations and financing mechanisms for a new health technology may affect health inequalities in access and impact. We projected the distributional consequences of introducing nirsevimab for prevention of respiratory syncytial virus in a US birth cohort of infants through alternative reimbursement pathway scenarios. Using the RSV immunization impact model, we estimated that a vaccine-like reimbursement pathway would cover 32% more infants than a pharmaceutical pathway. The vaccine pathway would avert 30% more hospitalizations and 39% more emergency room visits overall, and 44% and 44%, respectively, in publicly insured infants. The vaccine pathway would benefit infants from poorer households.

Promising traditional Indian medicinal plants for the management of novel Coronavirus disease: A systematic review.

Traditional Indian medical practices (Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and homeopathy) are a vast reservoir of knowledge about medicinal plants. The promising pharmacological properties of these plants have paved the way for developing therapy against novel Coronavirus (CoV) infection. The current review will summarize published works of literature on the effects of traditional Indian medicinal plants against acute respiratory infection (COVID-19, SARS, Influenza, and Respiratory syncytial virus infection) and registered clinical trials of traditional Indian herbal medicines in COVID-19. The current study aims to comprehensively evaluate the data of traditional Indian medicinal plants to warrant their use in COVID-19 management. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched along with different clinical trial databases. A total of 22 relevant traditional Indian medicinal plants (35 relevant studies) were included in the current study having potential antiviral properties against virus-induced respiratory illness along with promising immunomodulatory and thrombolytic properties. Further, 36 randomized and nonrandomized registered clinical trials were also included that were aimed at evaluating the efficacy of herbal plants or their formulations in COVID-19 management. The antiviral, immunomodulatory, and thrombolytic activities of the traditional Indian medicinal plants laid down a strong rationale for their use in developing therapies against SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study identified some important potential traditional Indian medicinal herbs such as Ocimum tenuiflorum, Tinospora cordifolia, Achyranthes bidentata, Cinnamomum cassia, Cydonia oblonga, Embelin ribes, Justicia adhatoda, Momordica charantia, Withania somnifera, Zingiber officinale, Camphor, and Kabusura kudineer, which could be used in therapeutic strategies against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Seasonal shift in epidemics of respiratory syncytial virus infection in Japan.

In Japan, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection generally has occurred during autumn and winter. However, a possible change in the seasonal trend of RSV infection has been observed recently. The current study was conducted to determine whether the epidemic season of RSV infection in Japan has indeed changed significantly. We used expectation-based Poisson scan statistics to detect periods with high weekly reported RSV cases (epidemic cluster), and the epidemic clusters were detected between September and December in the 2012-2016 seasons while those were detected between July and October in the 2017-2019 seasons. Non-linear and linear ordinary least squares regression models were built to evaluate whether there is a difference in year trend in the epidemic seasonality, and the epidemic season was shifted to earlier in the year in 2017-2019 compared to that in 2012-2016. Although the reason for the shift is unclear, this information may help in clinical practice and public health.