Influencia de la pandemia COVID-19 sobre la epidemiología de la bronquiolitis aguda

Abstract

Introducción: La pandemia COVID-19 ha modificado la propagación de ciertos virus respiratorios causantes de bronquiolitis aguda. Analizamos la epidemiología de los ingresos por bronquiolitis durante la pandemia COVID-19 en comparación con 8 temporadas epidémicas anteriores. Métodos: Estudio observacional ambispectivo, que incluyó lactantes con bronquiolitis ingresados en un hospital terciario durante dos períodos: pandemia COVID-19 (15 marzo-2020 a 31 agosto-2021) y pre-pandemia (1 septiembre-2012 a 14 marzo-2020). Se recogieron características demográficas, clínicas y etiología. Resultados: Ingresaron 510 pacientes por bronquiolitis: 486 en el período pre-pandemia con una media de 61 ingresos por temporada vs 24 durante la pandemia, observándose una reducción de ingresos del 60,7%. Durante la pandemia, el brote epidémico se inició con retraso abarcando la primavera-verano 2021. El virus respiratorio sincitial fue el agente etiológico más frecuente en ambos períodos. Conclusiones: Observamos un cambio estacional de la bronquiolitis durante la pandemia COVID-19, probablemente influenciado por las medidas de control frente a SARS-CoV-2.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic and Lockdown on the HRSV Circulation: Experience of Three Spoke Hospitals in Northern Italy

“…In accordance with the current literature, no differences in the severity of HRSV infection have been demonstrated in our study; other authors have reported no differences in X-ray findings, short-term outcomes (like complications, the length of hospitalization, the type of respiratory support, the length of oxygen supplementation, and the need of transfer to a Hub hospital) [28][29][30]. The only remarkable difference in our study is in the results of the CRP dosage; in Group A (pre-pandemic), its average value was higher than that in Group B (post-pandemic).…”

The Role and Value of Professional Rapid Testing of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) in Europe: A Special Focus on the Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania

“…On one hand, the observed reduction can be attributed to the implementation of pandemic control measures, including social distancing, restrictions on people’s mobility, and changes in testing priorities and surveillance efforts [ 123 , 125 , 126 , 127 , 128 , 129 ]. On the other hand, the observed reduction might also be a consequence of incorporating SARS-CoV-2 into the ecological niche of viruses, causing a displacement of other ARI viruses [ 130 , 131 ].…”

Respiratory syncytial virus infection in COVID-19 times: Trick or threat?

“… 7 , 8 In this issue of Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clinica the authors, in two different studies conducted in two pediatric tertiary care hospitals in Spain, also report changes in the pattern of AB in children during the pandemic. 9 , 10 …”

“…In the first paper, Bermudez et al 9 studied all cases of AB admitted to the Valladolid University hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 15th 2020–August 31st 2021) and compared this period with eight pre-pandemic seasons (September 1st 2012–March 14th 2020) aiming to describe the differences between both periods. In the second one, Hernández-Rivas et al, 10 retrospectively described the epidemiology and clinical data of RSV admissions during 2021 in a large hospital in Madrid comparing the results with the previous two seasons.…”

“…Furthermore, surprisingly in all these studies, cases moved to spring-summer months, with no episodes in autumn and winter, and with an astonishing peak of incidence during June–July in contrast to the usual presentation of AB during the coldest months of the year. 9 , 10 , 12 As in pre-pandemic outbreaks, RSV was, by far, the main etiological agent. Bermudez et al, also found an increased rate in PICU admissions (45.8%) during the pandemic period, probably due to a younger age, lower gestational age and body weight of patients during this period, however, Hernández-Rivas et al did not find any clinical differences.…”