Very Low Incidence of SARS-CoV-2, Influenza and RSV but High Incidence of Rhino-, Adeno- and Endemic Coronaviruses in Children With Acute Respiratory Infection in Primary Care Pediatric Practices During the Second and Third Wave of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic.

Respiratory viruses were detected by multiplex-polymerase chain reaction from oropharyngeal swabs in 114/168 (67.9%) children with acute respiratory infection presenting to 5 pediatric practices in Germany between November 2020 and April 2021. In contrast to rhino- (48.8%), adeno- (14.3%) and endemic coronaviruses (14.9%), SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus were detected only once; respiratory syncytial virus was not detected. This demonstrates differing impacts of pandemic infection control measures on the spread of respiratory viruses.
Competing Interests: A.S. received research grants, speaker’s fees and/or fees for participation in advisory board meetings and travelling grants from GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer Pharma, Janssen-Cilag and MSD. J.G.L. received research grants, speaker’s fees and fees for participation in advisory board meetings from GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer Pharma, Janssen-Cilag, SPMSD and MSD. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
(Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)