Frequency of respiratory pathogens other than SARS-CoV-2 detected during COVID-19 testing

Matheus Negri Boschiero; Aires Duarte; Camila Vantini Capasso Palamim; Alfonso Eduardo Alvarez; Renan Marrichi Mauch; Fernando Augusto Lima Marson

doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2021.115576

Frequency of respiratory pathogens other than SARS-CoV-2 detected during COVID-19 testing

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2022 Feb;102(2):115576. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2021.115576. Epub 2021 Oct 22.

Authors

Matheus Negri Boschiero¹, Aires Duarte², Camila Vantini Capasso Palamim¹, Alfonso Eduardo Alvarez³, Renan Marrichi Mauch⁴, Fernando Augusto Lima Marson⁵

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Tumor Biology and Bioactive Compounds, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Human and Medical Genetics, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil.
² BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
³ Pulmonology and Allergy Pediatric Center, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
⁴ Center for Investigation in Pediatrics, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
⁵ Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Tumor Biology and Bioactive Compounds, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Human and Medical Genetics, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: fernando.marson@usf.edu.br.

Abstract

The frequencies of 19 respiratory pathogens other than SARS-CoV-2 were assessed in 6,"?>235 Brazilian individuals tested for COVID-19. Overall, only 83 individuals who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 had codetection of other pathogens. Individuals infected with Rhinovirus/Enterovirus, Human Coronavirus (HCoV)-HKU1, HCoV-NL63, HPIV-4, Influenza A (-H1N1 and other subtypes), Influenza B, Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Human Metapneumovirus were less likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2. Infection with Streptococcys pyogenes, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Bordetella pertussis were more frequent in individuals who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, but without significancy. We found 150 individuals infected with ≥2 pathogens other than SARS-CoV-2, only 3 out of whom tested positive for COVID-19. The codetection frequency was low in individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. Other viral infections may provide a cross-reactive, protective immune response against SARS-CoV-2. Screening for bacterial respiratory infections upon COVID-19 testing is important to drive suitable therapeutic approaches and avoid unnecessary antibiotic prescription.

Keywords: COVID-19; Codetection; Pandemic; SARS-CoV-2.

MeSH terms

Adult
Bacterial Infections / diagnosis*
Brazil
COVID-19 / diagnosis*
COVID-19 Testing*
Cross Reactions
Female
Humans
Male
Mass Screening
Middle Aged
Respiratory Tract Infections / diagnosis*
Respiratory Tract Infections / microbiology
Respiratory Tract Infections / virology
SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification*