Comparative Seasonal Respiratory Virus Epidemic Timing in Utah

Zayne Y Callahan,Rebecca Gardner,Trevor K Smith,Chantel D Sloan,E Kent Korgenski,Celeste Ingersoll

doi:10.3390/v12030275

Zayne Y Callahan, Rebecca Gardner + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/v12030275

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Journal: Viruses	Publication Date: Feb 29, 2020
Citations: 22	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Brigham Young University, Intermountain Healthcare

Abstract

Previous studies have found evidence of viral interference between seasonal respiratory viruses. Using laboratory-confirmed data from a Utah-based healthcare provider, Intermountain Health Care, we analyzed the time-specific patterns of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza A, influenza B, human metapneumovirus, rhinovirus, and enterovirus circulation from 2004 to 2018, using descriptive methods and wavelet analysis (n = 89,462) on a local level. The results showed that RSV virus dynamics in Utah were the most consistent of any of the viruses studied, and that the other seasonal viruses were generally in synchrony with RSV, except for enterovirus (which mostly occurs late summer to early fall) and influenza A and B during pandemic years.

Highlights

Seasonal viruses are responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths and extensive morbidity in temperate climates each year [1,2]
Research suggests that epidemics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), coronavirus, and influenza B can be respectively delayed, intensified, or inhibited if circulation of influenza A begins early [11]
The strengths of the study include the use of a large, multiyear database of laboratory-confirmed samples and two complementary analysis methods, to determine synchrony in epidemic dynamics between six common respiratory viruses in Utah

Summary

Introduction

Seasonal viruses are responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths and extensive morbidity in temperate climates each year [1,2]. In the United States, epidemics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Influenza typically begin in the Southeast United States and progress to the Northwest, through the months of October to April [3,4,5]. Much of the seasonal timing and geographic spread between respiratory viruses coincide, resulting in high prevalence of coinfection globally, which may potentially be linked to disease severity [6,7,8]. Competition for host cells during coinfection can result in viral interference in the form of delaying or preventing infection by the secondary virus [9,10]. Research suggests that epidemics of RSV, coronavirus, and influenza B can be respectively delayed, intensified, or inhibited if circulation of influenza A begins early (before week one of a given seasonal year) [11]. Faster growing seasonal viruses, such as rhinovirus, may reduce the rate of replication of slower growing seasonal viruses, while RSV infection may in turn reduce the risk of rhinovirus coinfection [9,12]

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