Very Low Incidence of SARS-CoV-2, Influenza and RSV but High Incidence of Rhino-, Adeno- and Endemic Coronaviruses in Children With Acute Respiratory Infection in Primary Care Pediatric Practices During the Second and Third Wave of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2022 Apr 1;41(4):e146-e148. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000003460.

Abstract

Respiratory viruses were detected by multiplex-polymerase chain reaction from oropharyngeal swabs in 114/168 (67.9%) children with acute respiratory infection presenting to 5 pediatric practices in Germany between November 2020 and April 2021. In contrast to rhino- (48.8%), adeno- (14.3%) and endemic coronaviruses (14.9%), SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus were detected only once; respiratory syncytial virus was not detected. This demonstrates differing impacts of pandemic infection control measures on the spread of respiratory viruses.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology
  • Influenza, Human / virology
  • Male
  • Pandemics
  • Primary Health Care*
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / epidemiology
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / virology
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / diagnosis
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / epidemiology*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / etiology*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / therapy
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Virus Diseases / diagnosis
  • Virus Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Virus Diseases / etiology*
  • Virus Diseases / therapy