1. Epidemic season 2021–2022: Frequency of co-infection by respiratory viral pathogens
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Elena I. Burtseva, Anna D. Panova, Ludmila V. Kolobukhina, Anna V. Ignatjeva, Elena S. Kirillova, Natalia V. Breslav, Svetlana V. Trushakova, Evgeniya A. Mukasheva, Elena L. Feodoritova, Kirill G. Krasnoslobodtsev, Liliya N. Merkulova, Irina N. Khlopova, Lidiya B. Kisteneva, Irina S. Kruzhkova, Yuliya S. Levochkina, Anastasia S. Krepkaia, Aleksandra G. Rosatkevich, Andrey B. Komissarov, Svetlana B. Yatsishina, Andrey A. Pochtovyi, Daria D. Kustova, Vladimir A. Gushchin, Marina V. Bazarova, Svetlana V. Smetanina, and Natalia A. Tsvetkova
- Subjects
General Medicine - Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to determine the characteristics of various viral respiratory pathogens spreading during the epidemic season 20212022 and the frequency of co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 and influenza. AIM: To assess the development of the influenza epidemic and frequency of cases of co-infection with respiratory pathogens in patients with acute respiratory viral infections between 2021 and 2022. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Traditional and hospital epidemiological surveillance methods for acute respiratory viral infections were used. RESULTS: The epidemic season of 20212022 was characterized by the early activity of the influenza A(H3N2) virus and the emergence and rapid spread of the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. The distribution of different respiratory pathogens during the epidemic season 20212022 was clearly traced: SARS-CoV-2 (18.8%) was predominant, followed by influenza viruses (10.6%) and pathogens of other acute respiratory viral infections (0.43.7%). With respect to influenza A (H3N2) and B viruses, the heterogeneity of their populations and drift variability in relation to vaccine strains were noted. DISCUSSION: The frequency of co-infection with various respiratory pathogens was low, i.e., it was no more than 0.1%according to traditional surveillance, and no more than 9.2% in the hospital surveillance. The rationale for updating the composition of influenza vaccines for the countries in the Northern Hemisphere for 20222023 season was identified. CONCLUSION: At present, early diagnosis of influenza is important given the availability of effective drugs with a direct mechanism of action for the prevention and treatment of this pathogen. Timely use of anti-influenza drugs will reduce the risks of a severe course, complications, and death, including co-infection with SARS-CoV-2.
- Published
- 2023
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