A-282 Coinfection Rates of SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Abstract

Abstract Background In late 2022, a severe spike of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases in the United States alongside seasonal influenza and the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 crisis underscored the potential consequences for respiratory coinfections. Coinfections of respiratory viruses can complicate treatment and increase the likelihood of severe cases. It is not well understood how prevalent respiratory coinfections were during this time in the general and pediatric populations. In this retrospective analysis we examine respiratory molecular diagnostic testing results to estimate the rates of coinfection in the study population. Methods Respiratory sample results from a clinical laboratory for a 107-day period in autumn 2022 were analyzed. Assays were performed on two platforms: the Roche cobas® SARS-CoV-2 & Influenza A/B Test and the Cepheid Xpert® Xpress CoV-2/Flu/RSV plus assay. Overall positivity and coinfection rates were calculated. Coinfection results of the pediatric population were further investigated. Results A total of 26 657 respiratory testing results were analyzed. Cases of coinfection of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, influenza B, and RSV were seen. Positivity ranged from 0.03% to 21.86% and coinfection rates ranged from 0.00% to 2.28% depending upon the pathogen. Overall, 9800 samples (36.76%) came from pediatric patients (age ≤21). Pediatric positivity ranged from 0.04% to 24.70% and coinfection rates ranged from 0.00% to 6.00% depending on the pathogen (Table). Conclusion Overall, coinfections were observed in 0.55% of samples comprising 1.33% of all positive results. In this study population, pediatric samples accounted for a disproportionately high percentage of positive results for influenza A, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 coinfections when compared to the overall percentages from the complete study population.