Mixed viral infections of the respiratory tract; an epidemiological study during consecutive winter seasons. Issue 4 (17th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Antalis, Emmanouil; Oikonomopoulou, Zacharoula; Kottaridi, Christine; Kossyvakis, Athanasios; Spathis, Aris; Magkana, Maria; Katsouli, Aikaterini; Tsagris, Vassileios; Papaevangelou, Vassiliki; Mentis, Andreas; Tsiodras, Sotirios
• Is Part Of: Journal of medical virology. Volume 90:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 663
• Page End: 670
• Publication Date: 2018-01-17
• Subjects: epidemiology -- influenza -- respiratory syncytial virus (RSV); Virology -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0146-6615

Abstract

Abstract : The current study aimed to describe the molecular epidemiology of mixed respiratory viral infections during consecutive winter seasons in a tertiary care hospital. Patients with symptoms of respiratory tract infection were evaluated during the 2009‐2011 and 2013‐15 winter seasons. A clinical microarray technique was used for viral detection. Clinical and epidemiological data were correlated with mixed viral detection and the need for hospitalization. In 332 out of 604 (54.4%) evaluated patients (17.6% children) a respiratory virus was identified. Mixed viral infections were diagnosed in 68/332 (20.5%) patients with virus detection (66.2% mixed Influenza‐RSV infections). Mixed viral infections were more commonly detected in children (OR 3.7; 95%CI 1.9‐5.6, P < 0.01) and patients with comorbidities. In logistic regression analyses, mixed viral infections were associated with younger age (mean age 30.4 years vs. 41.8 years, P ≤ 0.001) and increased rates of fever (OR: 2.7; 95%CI 1.04‐7.2, P < 0.05) but no adverse outcomes or increased rates of hospitalization. High rates of mixed viral infections were noted during all winter seasons (especially Influenza and RSV ) and were more common in younger patients. The clinical significance of mixed respiratory viral infection needs further elucidation.