Am J Clin Microbiol Antimicrob | Volume 4, Issue 1 | Research Article | Open Access

Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza Virus Co- Infection in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic

Prashant Patil1, Santosh Karade1, Sourav Sen2* and Pratik Thosani1

1Department of Microbiology, Armed Forces Medical College, India 2Department of Microbiology, Symbiosis Medical College for Women, India

*Correspondance to: Sourav Sen 

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Abstract

Background: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a known viral pathogen of pediatric age group is now an emerging cause of severe respiratory illness in adults. Human Influenza virus is the known cause of morbidity and mortality in adults. In the current setting of COVID-19 pandemic, RSV, and influenza viral infections in cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) may be overlooked. Both these viral infections have similar clinical presentation and needs to be differentiated for appropriate management. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional pilot study, nasopharyngeal swab samples from individuals in western region of Maharashtra state, India with severe acute respiratory infections were tested for SARS-CoV-2, RSV-A, RSV-B, Human Influenza A and B viruses by multiplex Real- Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Multiplex PCR of total of 100 consecutive samples of SARI were successfully processed during the study period between June 2020 to September 2020. RT-PCR showed genomic target detection for SARS-CoV-2, RSV, and Influenza virus in a total of 35, 22 and 03 samples, respectively. Prevalence of RSV-B (19%) was higher as compared to RSV-A (3%). Conclusion: RSV infection in adults cannot be under rated in current scenario. The study highlights the importance of identifying other respiratory pathogens for specific management during current COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords:

SARS-CoV-2; H1n1; Real-Time PCR; Acute respiratory infection

Citation:

Patil P, Karade S, Sen S, Thosani P. Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza Virus Co-Infection in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic. Am J Clin Microbiol Antimicrob. 2021; 4(1): 1053..

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