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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
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. 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.
    2. 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.
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    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.

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