Asymptomatic Summertime Shedding of Respiratory Viruses. (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shaman, Jeffrey; Morita, Haruka; Birger, Ruthie; Boyle, Mary; Comito, Devon; Lane, Benjamin; Ligon, Chanel; Smith, Hannah; Desalle, Rob; Planet, Paul
• Is Part Of: Journal of infectious diseases. Volume 217:Number 7(2018)
• Page Start: 1074
• Page End: 1077
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Asymptomatic infection -- respiratory viruses -- viral shedding -- definition of symptomatic infection -- common cold questionnaire; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Diseases -- Causes and theories of causation -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jix685
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1899

Abstract

Abstract : Sampling of visitors to a major New York City tourist attraction during April–July 2016 revealed substantial levels of asymptomatic and symptomatic respiratory virus shedding among the ambulatory adult population. Abstract: To determine rates of both symptomatic and asymptomatic infection among ambulatory adults, we collected nasopharyngeal swab specimens, demographic characteristics, and survey information from 1477 adult visitors to a New York City tourist attraction during April–July 2016. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to identify specimens positive for common respiratory viruses. A total of 7.2% of samples tested positive for respiratory viruses; among positive samples, 71.0% contained rhinovirus, and 21.5% contained coronavirus. Influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza virus were also detected. Depending on symptomatologic definition, 57.7%–93.3% of positive samples were asymptomatic. These findings indicate that significant levels of asymptomatic respiratory viral shedding exist during summer among the ambulatory adult population.