Epidemiology of respiratory infections among adults in Qatar (2012-2017)

Abstract

Background Limited data is available about the etiology of influenza like illnesses (ILIs) in Qatar. Objectives This study aimed at providing preliminary estimates of influenza and other respiratory infections circulating among adults in Qatar. Methods We retrospectively collected data of about 44,000 patients who visited Hamad General Hospital clinics, sentinel sites, and all primary healthcare centers in Qatar between 2012 and 2017. All samples were tested for influenza viruses, whereas about 38,000 samples were tested for influenza and a panel of respiratory viruses using Fast Track Diagnostics (FTD) RT-PCR kit. Results Among all ILIs cases, 20,278 (46.5%) tested positive for at least one respiratory pathogen. Influenza virus was predominating (22.6%), followed by human rhinoviruses (HRVs) (9.5%), and human coronaviruses (HCoVs) (5%). A detection rate of 2–3% was recorded for mycoplasma pneumonia, adenoviruses, human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and human metapneumovirus (HMPV). ILIs cases were reported throughout the year, however, influenza, RSV, and HMPV exhibited strong seasonal peaks in the winter, while HRVs circulated more during fall and spring. Elderly (>50 years) had the lowest rates of influenza A (13.9%) and B (4.2%), while presenting the highest rates of RSV (3.4%) and HMPV (3.3%). While males had higher rates of HRVs (11.9%), enteroviruses (1.1%) and MERS CoV (0.2%), females had higher proportions of influenza (26.3%), HPIVs (3.2%) and RSV (3.6%) infections. Conclusion This report provides a comprehensive insight about the epidemiology of ILIs among adults in the Qatar, as a representative of Gulf States. These results would help in improvement and optimization of diagnostic procedures, as well as control and prevention of the respiratory infections.

Viruses of Respiratory Tract: an Observational Retrospective Study on Hospitalized Patients in Rome, Italy

“…RSV and HCOV were the third most prevalent viruses detected in our hospitalized patients. In our study, RSV and FLU circulated in the same periods, owing to epidemiological interference, although the peak of RSV circulation is described as occurring earlier in other reports [14]. The general distribution of RSV positivity was similar in the different age groups (children were not present in our study population) but dyspnea was documented in 70% of people over 64 years old, in 20% of those in the range 45-64 years old and only in 10% of the younger patients (data not shown), confirming a more severe clinical impact of this infection in the elderly.…”

“…The identified viral agents included all the respiratory viruses commonly circulating in the community as well as in the hospital setting, namely FLU A and B viruses, RHV/EV, HCOV, RSV, HMPV, PIV and ADV, as already reported by other authors [8][9][10]. It is well known that the knowledge and monitoring of the prevalence of respiratory viruses in hospital settings is very important, as the impact of these infections in hospitalized patients can have more serious consequences than in the general population [1][2][3][4][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17].…”

“…In agreement with the potential severity of RSV infection, a recent prospective observational study conducted in France during three influenza seasons revealed that 4% of adults hospitalized for influenza-like illness (ILI) had RSV infection, of whom 58% developed cardiopulmonary complications and 8% died. It also showed that elderly individuals and patients with cancer and/or treated with immunosuppressive drugs are more likely to have RSV isolated when hospitalized for ILI [14].…”

Meta-analysis and comprehensive study of coronavirus outbreaks: SARS, MERS and COVID-19

“… Lamers MM et al [ 106 ] 2015 Emerging Infectious Diseases Jordan This study characterized MERS outbreak caused viruses from Jordan and reported some deletion variants in the region. Al-Romaihi HE [ 107 ] 2019 PLOS One Qatar This report comprehensive insights and analyzed the respiratory influenza like infection from Qatar which is revealed that 0.2% cases related to MERS. Du Toit A [ 108 ] COVID-19 2020 Nature Reviews Microbiology - This research highlights provide an importance related to novel coronavirus infection and outbreak.…”

Application of Multiplex Molecular Assays in the Diagnosis of Acute Respiratory Infectious Diseases

“…A comparison of xTAG RV-Fast panel, PathoFinder RF-22, CLART PneumoVir and FTD-RF-33 kits showed these assays overall sensitivities to be 72.63%, 88.42%, 63.86%, 77.89% respectively, and PPA to be 92%, 92.31%, 80.30%, 94.87% respectively [19]. A large epidemiological study in which 38,000 samples were tested for respiratory viruses by FTD-RP 21 showed its usefulness in the improvement and optimization of diagnostic procedures, as well as control and prevention of the respiratory infections [20].…”