Variation in the seasonality of the respiratory syncytial virus during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a variation in the circulation of common respiratory viruses. Our objective was to analyse the epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison with previous epidemic seasons. Methods We conducted an observational study involving infants with RSV bronchiolitis admitted to a tertiary hospital during two periods: pandemic COVID-19 (15 March 2020–30 September 2021) and pre-pandemic (1 October 2014–14 March 2020). Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected. Results A total of 270 patients were admitted for RSV bronchiolitis: 253 in the pre-pandemic period with an average of 42 admissions per season vs 17 in the pandemic. During the pandemic, the RSV outbreak started late in June 2021 with a higher percentage of prematurity and PICU admissions. Conclusion A change in RSV seasonality was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an unusual outbreak in summer 2021 of lower magnitude than previous seasons.

New epidemiological trends of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis during COVID-19 pandemic

“…We did not observe any outbreaks of RSV bronchiolitis during spring and summer 2021 (Fig. 1 ) or a higher percentage of prematurity and PICU admissions, as otherwise reported by other authors [ 6 ].…”

“…This prediction has come true in our area in autumn 2021, when school, kindergarten, and work social activities fully reprised. On the other hand, we have not observed any summer peak, as reported in Japan and Spain [ 5 , 6 ]. We fully agree with Bermúdez Barrezueta et al about the necessity of potentiating the epidemiological surveillance systems that control RSV circulation for a better management of health resources, including the better timing of palivizumab prophylaxis [ 6 ].…”

“…The spread of respiratory viruses, particularly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), has been completely changed during the winter of 2020–2021 [ 3 , 4 ], but an unusual resurgence of RSV infection has been recently reported in different countries [ 3 – 7 ]. A drastic reduction in bronchiolitis hospitalizations also occurred during the winter of 2020–2021, with RSV being the main etiologic agent of bronchiolitis [ 3 , 6 ].…”

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on community respiratory virus activity

“…In France, the 2020–2021 RSV season was characterized by a 3–4-month delay in the seasonal peak of RSV-associated hospitalizations 100 , 101 . Moreover, one Spanish hospital reported that RSV-associated bronchiolitis admissions were delayed until June 2021; in previous seasons, RSV-associated hospitalization peaks typically occurred between November and February 95 .…”

Changes of respiratory syncytial virus infection in children before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Henan, China

“…RSV is a non-segmented single negative strand RNA enveloped virus belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family, and is related to clinical pictures such as bronchiolitis, pneumonia, ashmatic bronchitis 3 . RSV is the most important virus responsible for hospitalization and even death in children under 5 years of age with acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI), especially in infants 4 , 5 .…”