SARS-CoV-2 has displaced other seasonal respiratory viruses: Results from a prospective cohort study - 08/12/20
Highlights |
• | The incidence of other respiratory viruses fell dramatically during the first peak. |
• | SARS-CoV-2 was rarely co-detected with other respiratory viruses. |
• | SARS-CoV-2 was infrequently associated with exacerbations of COPD or asthma. |
• | Mortality rate was much higher in patients with COVID-19 compared to other viruses. |
Abstract |
Objectives |
The effect of SARS-CoV-2 on existing respiratory viruses in circulation and the overall burden of viral respiratory disease remains uncertain. Traditionally, severe viral respiratory disease disproportionally affects those with underlying chronic lung diseases. This study aimed to assess the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the prevalence and clinical characteristics of respiratory virus disease in hospitalised adults.
Methods |
Data for this cohort study were from hospitalised adults who had multiplex PCR testing for respiratory viruses over several seasons in Hampshire, UK. Respiratory virus detection during the first epidemic peak of SARS-CoV-2 was compared to detection during the same time period across previous years.
Results |
856 patients had multiplex PCR for respiratory viruses between March and May over 5 years. Before 2020, a non-SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected in 54% patients (202/371) compared to 4.1% (20/485) in 2020 (p < 0.0001). SARS-CoV-2 was associated with asthma or COPD exacerbations in a smaller proportion of infected patients compared to other viruses (1.0% vs 37%, p < 0.0001).
Conclusions |
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 was associated with substantial reductions in the circulation of seasonal respiratory viruses and large differences in the characteristics of viral-associated disease, including illness in a greater proportion of patients without underlying lung disease.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, Respiratory viruses, Pneumonia, Molecular diagnostics, Point-of-care testing
Plan
Vol 81 - N° 6
P. 966-972 - décembre 2020 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.