Epidemiology Of Respiratory Pathogens Research Articles

Pediatric respiratory pathogen dynamics in Southern Sichuan, China: a retrospective analysis of gender, age, and seasonal trends.

To address the research gap in the epidemiology of pediatric respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in Luzhou, Southern Sichuan, China, by analyzing respiratory pathogens in a large pediatric cohort from 2018 to 2021, covering the pre- and during-COVID-19 periods. This study conducted a retrospective analysis of children with RTIs in Luzhou from July 2018 to January 2021. Strict exclusion criteria were applied to ensure an accurate representation of the pediatric population. Pathogen detection included viruses, bacteria, and atypical agents. Pathogens were identified in 52.8% of 12,546 cases. Viruses accounted for 32.2% of infections, bacteria for 29.8%, and atypical agents for 29.7%, with significant findings of Staphylococcus aureus, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Age-related analysis indicated a higher incidence of bacterial infections in infants and viral infections in preschool-aged children, with atypical pathogens being most prevalent in 3-5-year-olds. Gender-based analysis, adjusted for age, revealed similar overall pathogen presence; however, females were more susceptible to viral infections, while males were more prone to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Notably, there was an unusual increase in pathogen cases during spring, potentially influenced by behavioral changes and public health measures related to COVID-19. Co-infections were identified as a significant risk factor for the development of pneumonia. The study provides essential insights into the epidemiology of respiratory pathogens in pediatric populations, emphasizing the need for healthcare strategies tailored to age, gender, and seasonality. The findings highlight the impact of environmental and public health factors, including COVID-19 measures, on respiratory pathogen prevalence, underscoring the importance of targeted diagnostic and treatment protocols in pediatric respiratory infections.

Epidemiological trends of respiratory tract pathogens detected via mPCR in Australian adult patients before COVID-19

BackgroundRespiratory tract infections (RTIs) are a major global health burden due to their high morbidity and mortality. This retrospective study described the epidemiology of respiratory pathogens in adults over a 5-year period at an Australian tertiary healthcare network.MethodsAll multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction respiratory samples taken between the 1st of November 2014 and the 31st of October 2019 were included in this study. Overall prevalence and variations according to seasons, age groups and sex were analysed, as well as factors associated with prolonged hospital and intensive care length of stay.ResultsThere were 12,453 pathogens detected amongst the 12,185 positive samples, with coinfection rates of 3.7%. Picornavirus (Rhinovirus), Influenza A and respiratory syncytial virus were the most commonly detected pathogens. Mycoplasma pneumoniae was the most commonly detected atypical bacteria. Significant differences in the prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae and Human metapneumovirus infections were found between sexes. Longest median length of intensive care and hospital stay was for Legionella species. Seasonal variations were evident for certain pathogens.ConclusionsThe high rates of pathogen detection and hospitalisation in this real-world study highlights the significant burden of RTIs, and the urgent need for an improved understanding of the pathogenicity as well as preventative and treatment options of RTIs.

Epidemiology of respiratory pathogens in patients with acute respiratory tract infection in Xiamen, China: A retrospective survey from 2020 to 2022

Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) are caused by respiratory pathogens and range from asymptomatic infections to severe respiratory diseases. These diseases can be life threatening with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Under the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), little has been reported about the pathogen etiologies and epidemiology of patients suffering from ARTI of all age in Xiamen. Region-specific surveillance in individuals with ARTI of all ages was performed in Xiamen from January 2020 to October 2022. Here, we observed the epidemiological characteristics of thirteen pathogens within ARTI patients and further revealed the difference of that between upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). In total 56.36 % (2358/4184) of the ARTI patients were positive for at least one respiratory pathogen. Rhinovirus (RVs, 29.22 %), influenza A (FluA, 19.59 %), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV, 18.36 %), metapneumovirus (MPV, 13.91 %), and adenovirus (ADV, 10.31 %) were the five leading respiratory pathogens. Respiratory pathogens displayed age- and season-specific patterns, even between URTI and LRTI. Compared with other groups, a higher proportion of FluA (52.17 % and 68.75 %, respectively) infection was found in the adult group and the elder group, while the lower proportion of RVs (14.11 % and 11.11 %) infection was also observed in them. Although ARTI cases circulated throughout the year, RVs, FluB, and BoV peaked in autumn, and FluA circulated more in summer. Besides, the co-infectious rate was 8.7 % with the most common for RVs. Logistic regression analyses revealed the correlations between respiratory pathogens and disease types. These results are essential for replenishing epidemiological characteristics of common respiratory pathogens that caused ARTI in Xiamen during the epidemic of COVID-19, and a better understanding of it might optimize the local prevention and clinical control.

Changes in the Epidemiology of Respiratory Pathogens in Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant decrease in non-COVID-19 respiratory illnesses were observed, suggesting that the implementation of measures against COVID-19 affected the transmission of other respiratory pathogens. The aim of this study was to highlight the changes in the epidemiology of respiratory pathogens in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. All children with Severe Acute respiratory illness admitted to the pediatric departments between January 2018 and December 2021 with negative COVID-19 PCR, were enrolled. The detection of respiratory pathogens was made by the Film Array Respiratory Panel. A total of 902 respiratory specimens were tested. A significantly lower positivity rate during the COVID-19 period was found (p = 0.006), especially in infants under 6 months (p = 0.008). There was a substantial absence of detection of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza A during the winter season following the outbreak of the pandemic (p < 0.05; p = 0.002 respectively). An inter-seasonal resurgence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus was noted. Human Rhinovirus was detected throughout the year, and more prevalent in winter during COVID-19 (p = 0.0002). These changes could be explained by the impact of the implementation of preventive measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic on the transmission of respiratory pathogens in children.

Epidemiology of Respiratory Pathogens Among Children Hospitalized for Pneumonia in Xiamen: A Retrospective Study.

ObjectivesTo investigate the etiology of common respiratory pathogens in children < 2 years of age hospitalized with pneumonia in Xiamen from 2014 to 2017.MethodsThe medical records of 5581 children with pneumonia were retrospectively reviewed. Direct immunofluorescent test was used for respiratory virus testing. Bacteria were detected by conventional culture method. The results of pathogen detection at admission were analyzed as well as the clinical outcomes of children.ResultsThe burden of hospitalized children with pneumonia was highest among infants < 6 months old (58.2%). Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was the most common respiratory virus (26.0%) followed by parainfluenza (4.8%) and adenovirus (3.2%). Haemophilus influenzae was the most common bacteria detected (16.6%) followed by Moraxella catarrhalis (13.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (13.0%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (12.3%), Escherichia coli (5.1%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (4.8%). Notably, RSV and K. pneumoniae were detected more frequently in severe pneumonia (35.0% and 10.9%) versus mild pneumonia (25.6% and 4.6%), with higher rates of ICU admissions, longer hospital stays and higher hospital costs compared to those infected with other respiratory pathogens.ConclusionsAmong children < 2 years of age hospitalized with pneumonia in Xiamen, RSV was the most common respiratory virus, while H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae remained the predominant bacterial pathogens detected. Considering the low implementation rate of vaccines against pneumococcal and Hib pneumonia in China, there is an urgent need to increase both vaccination rates to reduce pneumococcal and Hib disease burden.

Surveillance of Respiratory Viruses in Long Term Care Facilities

ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility of conducting respiratory virus surveillance for residents of long term care facilities (LTCF) using simple nasal swab specimens and to describe the virology of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in LCTFs.IntroductionAlthough residents of LTCFs have high morbidity and mortality associated with ARIs, there is very limited information on the virology of ARI in LTCFs.[1,2] Moreover, most virological testing of LCTF residents is reactive and is triggered by a resident meeting selected surveillance criteria. We report on incidental findings from a prospective trial of introducing rapid influenza diagnostic testing (RIDT) in ten Wisconsin LTCFs over a two-year period with an approach of testing any resident with ARI.MethodsAny resident with new onset of respiratory symptoms consistent with ARI had a nasal swab specimen collected for RIDT by nursing staff. Following processing for RIDT (Quidel Sofia Influenza A+B FIA), the residual swab was placed into viral transport medium and forwarded to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene and tested for influenza using RT-PCR (IVD CDC Human Influenza Virus Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel), and for 17 viruses (Luminex NxTAG Respiratory Pathogen Panel [RPP]). The numbers of viruses in each of 7 categories [influenza A (FluA ), influenza B (FluB), coronaviruses (COR), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), parainfluenza (PARA), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and rhinovirus/enterovirus (R/E)], across the two years were compared using chi-square.ResultsTotals of 164 and 190 specimens were submitted during 2016-2017 and 2017-2018, respectively. RPP identified viruses in 56.2% of specimens, with no difference in capture rate between years (55.5% vs. 56.8%). Influenza A (21.5%), influenza B (16.5%), RSV (19.0%) and hMPV (16.5%) accounted for 73.5% of all detections, while coronaviruses (15.5%), rhino/enteroviruses (8.5%) and parainfluenza (2.5%) were less common. Specific distribution of viruses varied significantly across the two years (Table: X2=48.1, df=6; p&lt;0.001).ConclusionsSurveillance in LTCFs using nasal swabs collected for RIDT is highly feasible and yields virus identification rates similar to those obtained in clinical surveillance of ARI with collection of nasopharyngeal specimens by clinicians and those obtained in a school-based surveillance project of ARI with collection of combined nasal and oropharyngeal specimens collected by trained research assistants. Significant differences in virus composition occurred across the two study years. RSV varied little between years while hMPV demonstrated wide variation. Simple approaches to surveillance may provide a more comprehensive assessment of respiratory viruses in LTCF settings.References(1) Uršič T, Gorišek Miksić N, Lusa L, Strle F, Petrovec M. Viral respiratory infections in a nursing home: a six-month prospective study. BMC Infect Dis. 2016; 16: 637. Published online 2016 Nov 4. doi: 10.1186/s12879-016-1962-8(2) Masse S, Capai L, Falchi A. Epidemiology of Respiratory Pathogens among Elderly Nursing Home Residents with Acute Respiratory Infections in Corsica, France, 2013–2017. Biomed Res Int. 2017; 2017: 1423718. Published online 2017 Dec 17. doi: 10.1155/2017/1423718

Epidemiology and clinical impact of viral, atypical, and fungal respiratory pathogens in symptomatic immunocompromised patients: a two-center study using a multi-parameter customized respiratory Taqman® array card.

The prevalence of respiratory viruses in immunocompromised adult patients and the association with clinical outcomes is still underexplored. Our goal was to assess the epidemiology and the potential clinical impact of respiratory viral infections in a high-risk patient population. Two large hospitals performed a respiratory Taqman array card (TAC), targeting 24 viruses, 8 bacteria, and 2 fungi simultaneously, on 435 samples from 397 symptomatic immunocompromised patients. Clinical details were collected retrospectively using a structured case report form. An overall positivity rate of 68% was found (51% mono- and 17% co-infections). Pathogen distribution was as follows: influenza A (20.7%), rhinoviruses (15.2%), coronaviruses (7.8%), Pneumocystis jirovecii (7.4%), RSV (7.1%), and CMV (6.0%) were the most frequently encountered, followed by HSV (5.5%), hMPV (4.4%), parainfluenza viruses (3.9%), influenza B (3.7%), and Aspergillus species (3.7%). Other pathogens were not detected or detected only in ≤ 1% of samples. Hospital and ICU admission rates were 84% and 11%, respectively. The presence of a pathogen was strongly associated with higher need for supplemental oxygen (p = 0.001), but it had no impact on ICU admission, mechanical ventilation requirement, antibacterial therapy, or mortality. In conclusion, our study described the epidemiology of respiratory pathogens in a large group of symptomatic immunocompromised patients and provides evidence of a relationship between pathogen detection and the need for supplemental oxygen. This association was still found after the exclusion of the results positive for influenza viruses, suggesting that non-influenza viruses contribute to severe respiratory illness in patients with compromised immunity.

Epidemiology of Respiratory Pathogens in Children with Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Shanghai, China, from 2013 to 2015.

This study aimed to explore the epidemiology of pathogens in children who were hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) at the Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China. Children aged less than 18 years who were hospitalized with LRTIs were enrolled from January 2013 to December 2015. Respiratory specimens were collected for the detection of common respiratory viruses, atypical bacteria, and other bacteria using current laboratory diagnostic tests. The epidemiological characteristics of the respiratory pathogens were analyzed. Of the 10,123 specimens obtained from the patients, 5,966 (58.7%) were positive for at least 1 pathogen. Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M.pneumoniae) was the most commonly detected pathogen (15.7%), followed by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (13.9%). Co-infections were found in 11.4% of patients. Of these co-infections, viral-bacterial co-infections were the most common. The detection rates for the respiratory pathogens varied considerably by age. RSV was the most common pathogen in children aged less than 24 months. Clear seasonal peaks were observed for RSV, M. pneumoniae, parainfluenza virus, human metapneumovirus, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Haemophilus influenza infections. Our findings demonstrate specific epidemiological patterns in children with LRTIs in Shanghai, China.

Epidemiology of Respiratory Pathogens among Elderly Nursing Home Residents with Acute Respiratory Infections in Corsica, France, 2013-2017.

Background The current study aims to describe the demographical and clinical characteristics of elderly nursing home (NH) residents with acute respiratory infections (ARIs) during four winter seasons (2013/2014–2016/2017), as well as the microbiological etiology of these infections. Methods Seventeen NHs with at least one ARI resident in Corsica, France, were included. An ARI resident was defined as a resident developing a sudden onset of any constitutional symptoms in addition to any respiratory signs. Nasopharyngeal swabs from ARI residents were screened for the presence of 21 respiratory agents, including seasonal influenza viruses. Results Of the 107 ARI residents enrolled from NHs, 61 (57%) were positive for at least one of the 21 respiratory pathogens. Forty-one (38.3%) of the 107 ARI residents had influenza: 38 (92%) were positive for influenza A (100% A(H3N2)) and three (8%) for influenza B/Victoria. Axillary fever (≥38°C) was significantly more common among patients infected with influenza A(H3N2). Conclusion The circulation of seasonal respiratory viruses other than influenza A(H3N2) seems to be sporadic among elderly NH residents. Investigating the circulation of respiratory viruses in nonwinter seasons seems to be important in order to understand better the dynamic of their year-round circulation in NHs.

Changing epidemiology of respiratory pathogens and the role of improved diagnostics

Changing epidemiology of respiratory pathogens and the role of improved diagnostics

Ambulatory management of community-acquired pneumonia in the adult. II: Therapeutic strategy and follow-up

In adult outpatients with community-acquired pneumonia, the choice for antibiotherapy is empirical. This choice includes the age and the severity assessment of the patient, and the epidemiology of respiratory pathogens. New fluoroquinolones are not recommended as first line agents. Patients with community-acquired pneumonia had an increased morbidity and mortality. Prevention includes influenza and pneumococcal vaccination, and smoking cessation.