IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v17y2020i22p8461-d445505.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

No Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Circulation in Rome (Italy) during the Pre-Pandemic Period: Results of a Retrospective Surveillance

Author

Listed:
  • Carlo Capalbo

    (Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
    Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy)

  • Enrico Bertamino

    (Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
    Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University La Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Alessandro Zerbetto

    (Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
    Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University La Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Iolanda Santino

    (Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
    Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy)

  • Andrea Petrucca

    (Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy)

  • Rita Mancini

    (Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
    Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy)

  • Rita Bonfini

    (Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy)

  • Valeria Alfonsi

    (Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy)

  • Stefano Ferracuti

    (Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
    Department of Human Neurosciences, University La Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Paolo Marchetti

    (Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
    Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy)

  • Maurizio Simmaco

    (Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
    Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs, “Sapienza” University of Rome, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy)

  • Giovanni Battista Orsi

    (Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
    Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University La Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Christian Napoli

    (Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
    Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University La Sapienza, via di Grottarossa 1035/1039, 00189 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the COVID-19 outbreak recorded over the previous months could be characterized as a pandemic. The first known Italian SARS-CoV-2 positive case was reported on 21 February. In some countries, cases of suspected “COVID-19-like pneumonia” had been reported earlier than those officially accepted by health authorities. This has led many investigators to check preserved biological or environmental samples to see whether the virus was detectable on dates prior to those officially stated. With regard to Italy, the results of a microbiological screening in sewage samples collected between the end of February and the beginning of April 2020 from wastewaters in Milan (Northern Italy) and Rome (Central Italy) showed presence of SARS-CoV-2. In the present study, we evaluated, by means of a standardized diagnostic method, the SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence amongst patients affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARI) in an academic hospital located in Central Italy during the period of 1 November 2019–1 March 2020. Overall, the number of emergency room (ER) visits during the investigated period was 13,843. Of these, 1208 had an influenza-like syndrome, but only 166 matched the definition of SARI as stated in the study protocol. A total of 52 SARI cases were laboratory confirmed as influenza: 26 as a type B virus, 25 as a type A, and 1 as both viruses. Although about 17% of the total sample had laboratory or radiological data compatible with COVID-19, all the nasopharyngeal swabs stored underwent SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and tested negative. Based on our result, it is confirmed that the COVID-19 pandemic spread did not start prior to the “official” onset in central Italy. Routine monitoring of SARI causative agents at the local level is critical for reporting epidemiologic and etiologic trends that may differ from one country to another and also among different influenza seasons. This has a practical impact on prevention and control strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlo Capalbo & Enrico Bertamino & Alessandro Zerbetto & Iolanda Santino & Andrea Petrucca & Rita Mancini & Rita Bonfini & Valeria Alfonsi & Stefano Ferracuti & Paolo Marchetti & Maurizio Simmaco & Gi, 2020. "No Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Circulation in Rome (Italy) during the Pre-Pandemic Period: Results of a Retrospective Surveillance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-8, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:22:p:8461-:d:445505
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/22/8461/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/22/8461/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Carlo Capalbo & Antonio Aceti & Maurizio Simmaco & Rita Bonfini & Monica Rocco & Alberto Ricci & Christian Napoli & Matteo Rocco & Valeria Alfonsi & Antonella Teggi & Giovanni Battista Orsi & Marina B, 2020. "The Exponential Phase of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Central Italy: An Integrated Care Pathway," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-10, May.
    2. Edith Lahner & Emanuele Dilaghi & Claudio Prestigiacomo & Giuliano Alessio & Laura Marcellini & Maurizio Simmaco & Iolanda Santino & Giovanni Battista Orsi & Paolo Anibaldi & Adriano Marcolongo & Brun, 2020. "Prevalence of Sars-Cov-2 Infection in Health Workers (HWs) and Diagnostic Test Performance: The Experience of a Teaching Hospital in Central Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-12, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Maria Piane & Lavinia Bianco & Rita Mancini & Paolo Fornelli & Angela Gabriele & Francesco Medici & Claudia Battista & Stefania Greco & Giuseppe Croce & Laura Franceschetti & Christian Napoli & Mario , 2022. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Clinical Pathways for Non-SARS-CoV-2 Related Diseases in the Lazio Region, Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-16, January.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Maria Piane & Lavinia Bianco & Rita Mancini & Paolo Fornelli & Angela Gabriele & Francesco Medici & Claudia Battista & Stefania Greco & Giuseppe Croce & Laura Franceschetti & Christian Napoli & Mario , 2022. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Clinical Pathways for Non-SARS-CoV-2 Related Diseases in the Lazio Region, Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-16, January.
    2. Ștefan Cristian Gherghina & Daniel Ștefan Armeanu & Camelia Cătălina Joldeș, 2020. "Stock Market Reactions to COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak: Quantitative Evidence from ARDL Bounds Tests and Granger Causality Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-35, September.
    3. Noraziani Khamis & Intan Syafinaz Saimy & Nor Hayati Ibrahim & Nur Khairah Badaruddin & Nor Zam Azihan Mohd Hassan & Faridah Kusnin & Sukhvinder Singh Sandhu & Masitah Mohamed, 2021. "Progression of the Pathway for Public Health Care during the COVID-19 Outbreak at District Health Office," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-18, October.
    4. Hani Amir Aouissi & Ahmed Hamimes & Mostefa Ababsa & Lavinia Bianco & Christian Napoli & Feriel Kheira Kebaili & Andrey E. Krauklis & Hafid Bouzekri & Kuldeep Dhama, 2022. "Bayesian Modeling of COVID-19 to Classify the Infection and Death Rates in a Specific Duration: The Case of Algerian Provinces," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-18, August.
    5. Stefano Porru & Maria Grazia Lourdes Monaco & Angela Carta & Gianluca Spiteri & Marco Parpaiola & Andrea Battaggia & Giulia Galligioni & Beatrice Ferrazzi & Giuliana Lo Cascio & Davide Gibellini & Ang, 2021. "SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Health Workers: Analysis from Verona SIEROEPID Study during the Pre-Vaccination Era," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-11, June.
    6. Muhammad Nauman Zahid & Simone Perna, 2021. "Continent-Wide Analysis of COVID 19: Total Cases, Deaths, Tests, Socio-Economic, and Morbidity Factors Associated to the Mortality Rate, and Forecasting Analysis in 2020–2021," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-10, May.
    7. Marina Borro & Paolo Di Girolamo & Giovanna Gentile & Ottavia De Luca & Robert Preissner & Adriano Marcolongo & Stefano Ferracuti & Maurizio Simmaco, 2020. "Evidence-Based Considerations Exploring Relations between SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic and Air Pollution: Involvement of PM2.5-Mediated Up-Regulation of the Viral Receptor ACE-2," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-13, August.
    8. Kenan Rodríguez de Limia Ramírez & Nicolás Ruiz-Robledillo & José Luis Duro-Torrijos & Vicente García-Román & Natalia Albaladejo-Blázquez & Rosario Ferrer-Cascales, 2021. "Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Sample of Health Workers in Two Health Departments of the Valencian Community in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-13, December.
    9. Agnese Comelli & Dario Consonni & Andrea Lombardi & Giulia Viero & Massimo Oggioni & Patrizia Bono & Sara Colonia Uceda Renteria & Ferruccio Ceriotti & Davide Mangioni & Antonio Muscatello & Alessandr, 2021. "Nasopharyngeal Testing among Healthcare Workers (HCWs) of a Large University Hospital in Milan, Italy during Two Epidemic Waves of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-10, August.
    10. Marina Di Domenico & Alfredo De Rosa & Francesca Di Gaudio & Pietro Internicola & Cinzia Bettini & Nicola Salzano & Davide Castrianni & Andrea Marotta & Mariarosaria Boccellino, 2021. "Diagnostic Accuracy of a New Antigen Test for SARS-CoV-2 Detection," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-9, June.
    11. Kurubaran Ganasegeran & Mohd Fadzly Amar Jamil & Alan Swee Hock Ch’ng & Irene Looi & Kalaiarasu M. Peariasamy, 2021. "Influence of Population Density for COVID-19 Spread in Malaysia: An Ecological Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-12, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:22:p:8461-:d:445505. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.