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Circulation of Respiratory Viruses in Hospitalized Adults before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brescia, Italy: A Retrospective Study

Author

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  • Maria Antonia De Francesco

    (Institute of Microbiology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
    Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, ASST-Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

  • Caterina Pollara

    (Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, ASST-Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

  • Franco Gargiulo

    (Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, ASST-Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

  • Mauro Giacomelli

    (Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, ASST-Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

  • Arnaldo Caruso

    (Institute of Microbiology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
    Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, ASST-Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

Abstract

Different preventive public health measures were adopted globally to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2, such as hand hygiene and the use of masks, travel restrictions, social distance actions such as the closure of schools and workplaces, case and contact tracing, quarantine and lockdown. These measures, in particular physical distancing and the use of masks, might have contributed to containing the spread of other respiratory viruses that occurs principally by contact and droplet routes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of different respiratory viruses (influenza viruses A and B, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza viruses 1, 2, 3 and 4, rhinovirus, adenovirus, metapneumovirus and human coronaviruses) after one year of the pandemic. Furthermore, another aim was to evaluate the possible impact of these non-pharmaceutical measures on the circulation of seasonal respiratory viruses. This single center study was conducted between January 2017–February 2020 (pre-pandemic period) and March 2020–May 2021 (pandemic period). All adults >18 years with respiratory symptoms and tested for respiratory pathogens were included in the study. Nucleic acid detection of all respiratory viruses was performed by multiplex real time PCR. Our results show that the test positivity for influenza A and B, metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus and human coronaviruses decreased with statistical significance during the pandemic. Contrary to this, for adenovirus the decrease was not statistically significant. Conversely, a statistically significant increase was detected for rhinovirus. Coinfections between different respiratory viruses were observed during the pre-pandemic period, while the only coinfection detected during pandemic was between SARS-CoV-2 and rhinovirus. To understand how the preventive strategies against SARS-CoV-2 might alter the transmission dynamics and epidemic patterns of respiratory viruses is fundamental to guide future preventive recommendations.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Antonia De Francesco & Caterina Pollara & Franco Gargiulo & Mauro Giacomelli & Arnaldo Caruso, 2021. "Circulation of Respiratory Viruses in Hospitalized Adults before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brescia, Italy: A Retrospective Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-10, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9525-:d:632403
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chih-Chia Hsieh & Chih-Hao Lin & William Yu Chung Wang & David J. Pauleen & Jengchung Victor Chen, 2020. "The Outcome and Implications of Public Precautionary Measures in Taiwan–Declining Respiratory Disease Cases in the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-10, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Giuseppe Sberna & Eleonora Lalle & Maria Beatrice Valli & Licia Bordi & Anna Rosa Garbuglia & Alessandra Amendola, 2022. "Changes in the Circulation of Common Respiratory Pathogens among Hospitalized Patients with Influenza-like Illnesses in the Lazio Region (Italy) during Fall Season of the Past Three Years," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-10, May.

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