Comparative analysis of the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of human influenza virus versus human respiratory syncytial virus versus human metapneumovirus infection in nine provinces of China during 2009−2021

Abstract

A comparative analysis of confirmed cases of human influenza virus (HIFV), human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), and human metapneumovirus (HMPV) was conducted to describe their clinical and epidemiological characteristics. During 2009−2021, active surveillance of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) was performed in nine provinces of China. Clinical and epidemiological information and laboratory testing results of HIFV, HRSV, and HMPV were analyzed. Among 11591 ARI patients, the single-infection rates of HIFV, HRSV, and HMPV were 15.00%, 9.59%, and 2.24%, respectively; the coinfection rate of these three viruses was 0.64%. HIFV infection was mainly in adults aged 15−59 years, accounting for 39.10%. HRSV and HMPV infections were mainly in children under 5 years old, accounting for 87.13% and 83.46%, respectively. Patients with HRSV infection were younger than HMPV.HRSV and HMPV had high similarities in clinical manifestations, presenting with lower respiratory symptoms. HIFV mainly presented with an upper respiratory infection. The epidemic peak of HRSV was earlier than that of HIFV, and that of HMPV was later than those of HRSV and HFIV. A total of 85.14% of coinfection

Immediate and long-term changes in the epidemiology, infection spectrum, and clinical characteristics of viral and bacterial respiratory infections in Western China after the COVID-19 outbreak: a modeling study

“…The proportion of ARI patients with clinical symptoms decreased after COVID-19, which may be related to the decreased positive rates of viral and bacterial infections after COVID-19. Previous studies have shown that HMPV infection or coinfection with HMPV and other respiratory viruses increases the risk of pneumonia and severe clinical symptoms [ 6 ]. In addition, coinfections with respiratory pathogens also increase the risk and severity of clinical symptoms in ARI patients [ 17 ].…”

“…In addition, coinfections with respiratory pathogens also increase the risk and severity of clinical symptoms in ARI patients [ 17 ]. Thus, the decrease in the positive rate of respiratory pathogens after COVID-19 has caused a decrease in the proportion of ARI patients with clinical symptoms [ 6 ].…”

“…This finding suggests that we need to be vigilant for the resurgence of respiratory viruses and bacteria in the future. In addition, changes in the seasonality, positive rate, and infection spectrum of respiratory pathogens caused by NPIs during the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to a decline in the population's immunity to these pathogens [ 6 , 7 ]. It has been shown that RSV antibody levels in women and infants decreased after COVID-19 [ 6 ].…”

“…For example, although it has been reported that COVID-19 control measures had an impact on cancer, respiratory infections, digestive infections, zoonotic diseases, and sexually transmitted diseases [ 8 , 26 , 29 , 30 ], these studies mainly examined the impact of NPIs on the incidence, mortality, or diagnosis rates of these diseases, but not on the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and infection spectrum. Studies have been conducted in Europe, Brazil, North America, and Korea to explore the impact of COVID-19 on viral and bacterial respiratory infections [ 1 , 15 , 35 , 37 ], but in mainland China, the only such studies were conducted in the eastern and southern regions [ 6 , 23 , 38 ], and there is a need to carry out such studies in Western China, in particular because the level of medical care, climate, and environment of Western China differ from those of other regions of China [ 25 ]. Here, we used an interrupted time series (ITS) design to explore the immediate and long-term impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the epidemiology, infection spectrum, and clinical characteristics of viral and bacterial respiratory infections.…”

Capillary Blood Gas in Children Hospitalized Due to Influenza Predicts the Risk of Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

“…Estimates based on a systematic review of published data report 109.5 million influenza episodes annually only in children under five years of age [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Influenza undergoes seasonal fluctuations with regards to its frequency, although during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the previously known seasonal patterns were altered in various regions, mainly due to nonpharmaceutical interventions [ 4 , 5 ]. The most important preventive measure, influenza vaccination, is globally available.…”