Background: Acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI) are one
leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people of all ages
worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The
purpose of this study was to determine epidemiological characteristics
of respiratory viruses in ARI patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in
Yaoundé, Cameroon. Methods: Patients were monitored for respiratory
symptoms as part of surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory
viral infections. Patients of all ages with respiratory symptoms less
than 5 days were considered. Sociodemographic and clinical data as well
as nasopharyngeal samples was collected from patients. Nasopharyngeal
samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2, Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial
Virus (RSV) using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain
reaction methods. Virus distribution and demographic data were analyzed
with R version 2.15.1. Results: From July 2020 to October 2021, 1120
patients were included. The overall viral detection rate was 32.5%,
including 9.5 % for RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), 12.6 % for
influenza virus and 12.8 % for SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome Coronavirus 2). Co-infections were detected in 6.9% of
positive cases. While RSV and influenza virus showed seasonal trends,
SARS-CoV-2 was detected throughout the study period. Conclusion: We
found that during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, respiratory viruses play an
important role in aetiology of influenza-like illness in Cameroon, and
this observation was true for patients of all ages.
Background
Acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRIs) are one one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among people of all ages worldwide, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). The purpose of this study was to determine epidemiological characteristics of respiratory viruses in acute respiratory infection (ARI) patients during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Methods
Patients were monitored for respiratory symptoms as part of the surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and other respiratory viral infections. Patients of all ages with respiratory symptoms less than 5 days were considered. Sociodemographic and clinical data as well as nasopharyngeal samples was collected from patients. Nasopharyngeal samples were tested for SARS‐CoV‐2, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) using real‐time reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction methods. Virus distribution and demographic data were analyzed with R version 2.15.1.
Results
From July 2020 to October 2021, 1120 patients were included. The overall viral detection rate was 32.5%, including 9.5% for RSV, 12.6% for influenza virus and 12.8% for SARS‐CoV‐2. Co‐infections were detected in 6.9% of positive cases. While RSV and influenza virus showed seasonal trends, SARS‐CoV‐2 was detected throughout the study period.
Conclusion
We found that during COVID‐19 pandemic, respiratory viruses play an important role in etiology of influenza‐like illness in Cameroon, and this observation was true for patients of all ages.
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