scholarly journals First Detection of Human Coronavirus HKU1 in Greece, in an Immunocompromised Patient With Severe Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Vasiliki Epameinondas Georgakopoulou ◽  
Georgios Petsinis ◽  
Konstantinos Mantzouranis ◽  
Christos Damaskos ◽  
Despoina Melemeni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Human Coronavirus ◽  
First Case ◽  
Syncytial Virus ◽  
Tract Infections

Human coronavirus HKU1 (HCoV-HKU1) is a RNA virus which gets in the human cells by binding to the receptor of  N-acetyl-9-O-acetylneuraminic acid. Human Coronaviruses (HCoVs), including HCoV-HKU1, are globally found. HCoV-HKU1 is responsible for upper and lower respiratory tract infections, usually with mild symptoms. In severe cases, HCoV-HKU1 can cause life-threatening respiratory illness especially in vulnerable hosts such as elderly, children and immunocompromised patients. In Greece, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and influenza are the most common viruses causing respiratory tract infections. Traditionally, HCoVs are responsible for less than 3% of respiratory infections in Greek population. HCoVs 229E and OC43 have been shown to circulate in Greece. We report the first case of lung infection in an immunocompromised woman due to HCoV-HKU1, that has never been before detected in Greece. HCoV-HKU1 is related to severe disease even in healthy individuals and must be considered in the differential diagnosis of severe respiratory infections.

scholarly journals Viral etiology and epidemiology of pediatric patients hospitalized for acute respiratory tract infections in Macao: a retrospective study from 2014 to 2017

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Lei ◽  
Lisong Yang ◽  
Cheong Tat Lou ◽  
Fan Yang ◽  
Kin Ian SiTou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Viral Etiology ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Syncytial Virus ◽  
Tract Infections

Abstract Background Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are among the leading causes of hospitalization in children. Understanding the local dominant viral etiologies is important to inform infection control practices and clinical management. This study aimed to investigate the viral etiology and epidemiology of respiratory infections among pediatric inpatients in Macao. Methods A retrospective study using electronic health records between 2014 and 2017 at Kiang Wu Hospital was performed. Nasopharyngeal swab specimens were obtained from hospitalized children aged 13 years or younger with respiratory tract diseases. xMAP multiplex assays were employed to detect respiratory agents including 10 respiratory viruses. Data were analyzed to describe the frequency and seasonality. Results Of the 4880 children enrolled in the study, 3767 (77.1%) were positive for at least one of the 13 viral pathogens tested, of which 2707 (55.5%) being male and 2635 (70.0%) under 2 years old. Among the positive results, there were 3091 (82.0%) single infections and 676 (18.0%) multiple infections. The predominant viruses included human rhinovirus/enterovirus (HRV/EV 27.4%), adenovirus (ADV, 15.8%), respiratory syncytial virus B (RSVB, 7.8%) and respiratory syncytial virus A (RSVA, 7.8%). The detection of viral infection was the most prevalent in autumn (960/1176, 81.6%), followed by spring (1095/1406, 77.9%), winter (768/992, 77.4%), and summer (944/1306, 72.3%), with HRV/EV and ADV being most commonly detected throughout the 4 years of study period. The detection rate of viral infection was highest among ARI patients presented with croup (123/141, 87.2%), followed by lower respiratory tract infection (1924/2356, 81.7%) and upper respiratory tract infection (1720/2383, 72.2%). FluA, FluB and ADV were positive factors for upper respiratory tract infections. On the other hand, infection with RSVA, RSVB, PIV3, PIV4, HMPV, and EV/RHV were positively associated with lower respiratory tract infections; and PIV1, PIV2, and PIV3 were positively associated with croup. Conclusions This is the first study in Macao to determine the viral etiology and epidemiology of pediatric patients hospitalized for ARIs. The study findings can contribute to the awareness of pathogen, appropriate preventative measure, accurate diagnosis, and proper clinical management of respiratory viral infections among children in Macao.

scholarly journals Human coronaviruses in persons with acute respiratory infections in Ghana

2020 ◽  
pp. 5-11
Author(s):  
Prince K Parbie ◽  
Julius AA Mingle ◽  
Michael Ntiri ◽  
Michael Adjabeng ◽  
Kofi Bonney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Acute Respiratory Infections ◽  
Human Coronaviruses ◽  
Tract Infections

Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) remain a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and economic loss globally. Until recently, human coronaviruses (HCoVs) have been mainly associated with mild respiratory tract infections. The 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), since 2012, illustrate the potential of coronaviruses to cause severe disease. Objective: This study investigated the presence of human coronaviruses in acute respiratory illness in Ghana. Methods: As part of routine influenza surveillance, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal (NP/OP) swabs obtained from 200 patients (100 hospital inpatients and 100 outpatients) with Influenza-like-illness from sentinel health facilities in Ghana from January 2013 to March 2014, were screened for the presence of HCoVs at the National Influenza Center using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays. Results: Human CoVs were detected in 7(3.5%) out of 200 cases investigated: HCo V HKU1 in 3 patient, HCo V 229E in 2 patients, HCo V OC43 in 1patient, and HCo V NL63 in 1 patient. No co-infection with HCoV types was detected. Out of 7 patients with HCoV infections, 6 were aged 5 yr. or greater.Also, HCoVs were detected more frequently in outpatients (5/100) than in hospitalized patients (2/100) with acute respiratory tract infections, though statistically insignificant (p>0.005). None of the respiratory specimens tested were positive for MERS-CoV, indicating the absence of MERS-CoV infection in Ghana between January 2013 and March 2014. Conclusion: This work provides an important reference point for coronavirus infections in humans in Ghana noting the current concern on the 2019 novel coronavirus.

Reappraisal of respiratory syncytial virus as an aetiology of severe acute lower respiratory tract infections in children younger than 5 years in Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 113 (8) ◽  
pp. 446-452
Author(s):  
Damilola M Oladele ◽  
Dimeji P Oladele ◽  
Rasheedat M Ibraheem ◽  
Mohammed B Abdulkadir ◽  
Rasaki Adewole Raheem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Preventive Strategy ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Rsv Infection ◽  
Syncytial Virus ◽  
Tract Infections

Abstract Background Acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRIs) especially severe ALRIs, constitute a global high burden of morbidity and mortality in children <5 y of age and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been documented to a play a major aetiological role. However, Nigerian reports on severe childhood RSV ALRIs are rare and most reports are old. With recent advances in RSV preventive strategy, arises the need for a recent appraisal of RSV infection in children with severe ALRI. The current study thus set out to determine the prevalence of RSV infection among hospitalized children <5 y of age and describe the related social determinants. Methods We performed a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted over 1 y of 120 children, ages 2–59 months, diagnosed with ALRI. Relevant data were obtained and an antigen detection assay was used for viral studies. Results The prevalence of RSV infection was 34.2% and its peak was in the rainy months. The proportion of infants in the RSV-positive group was significantly higher than that in the RSV-negative group (82.9% vs 54.4%; p=0.002). These findings were largely consistent with those of earlier reports. Conclusions RSV has remained a common cause of severe ALRI in infants, especially during the rainy months in Nigeria. It is thus suggested that more effort be focused towards implementing the current global recommendations for the prevention of RSV-associated LRI, particularly in infants.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the prevalence and seasonality of human parainfluenza virus over five year period in pediatric patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 260-265
Author(s):  
Meryem Colak ◽  
Selin Yigit ◽  
Anil Tapisiz ◽  
Hager Muftah ◽  
Kenan Yuce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Treatment Decision ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Common Type ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Syncytial Virus ◽  
Tract Infections

Objective: Human Parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) cause respiratory tract infections, and the second most common cause of acute respiratory illness-related hospitalizations after the respiratory syncytial virus in children <5 years of age. The aim of the study; determination of HPIVs positivity and common types in pediatric patients with respiratory tract infection; investigation the distribution of HPIV positivity by age groups, months and seasons, respectively. Material and Method: HPIV results of 1613 pediatric patients who were sent to the molecular virology laboratory from various pediatric clinics of Gazi Hospital between March 2016 and February 2021 (five years period) were investigated. Nucleic acid isolation was performed on the EZ1 Advanced (Qiagen, Germany) device using the EZ1 Virus Mini Kit by the manufacturer's protocol. Results: HPIV positivity was detected as 4.1% in clinical samples and, the most common HPIV type was found to be HPIV-3 (55%). The distribution of other HPIV types were; HPIV-2, HPIV-4 and HPIV-1 with 26%, 23% and 14%, respectively. HPIV-3 is the most common type in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019; however, HPIV-1 is the most common type in 2020. HPIVs co-infection was detected with other respiratory tract viruses in 51% of samples. The highest HPIV co-infection was detected in Rhinovirus. The highest HPIV positivity rate (45%) were determined in the 0-2 age group compared to other age groups (p<0.05). The highest positivity rate was in October in the autumn season (p<0.05), the lowest was in January and February in winter. The highest rate (8.1%) of HPIV positivity was found in 2016 and the lowest rate (0.7%) was in 2020. Conclusions: Since it is not possible to diagnose viral etiology of respiratory tract infections based on clinical findings, viral respiratory tract panel and Multiplex real-time PCR test are a fast and useful method in early diagnosis, treatment decision and prevention of unnecessary antibiotic use. HPIVs positivity is seen at higher rates in children aged 0-2 and in autumn months with seasonal differences.

scholarly journals Did admissions caused by respiratory infections and asthma decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeynep Onay ◽  
Deniz Mavi ◽  
Yetkin Ayhan ◽  
Sinem Can Oksay ◽  
Gulay Bas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Outpatient Clinic ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Pediatric Intensive Care ◽  
Acute Bronchiolitis ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Tract Infections

Background: COVID-19 outbreak lead to nationwide lockdown on the March 16th, 2020 in Turkey. We aimed to quantitively determine the change in frequency of upper and lower respiratory tract infections and asthma in pediatric population associated with COVID-19. Methods: The electronic medical record data of pediatric population admitted to the emergency department (ED), outpatient and inpatient clinics and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) were analyzed with the diagnosis of Influenza, upper and lower respiratory tract infections (URTI, LRTI) acute bronchiolitis and asthma. The data of the first year of the pandemic was compared with the previous year. Results: In total 112496 admissions were made between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2021 in our hospital. A decline was observed in ED admissions (-73%) and outpatient clinic (-70%) visits, hospitalizations (-41.5%) and PICU admissions (-42%). The admissions with the diagnosis of Influenza and URTI had a decline from 4.26% to 0.37% (p=0.0001), and from 81.54% to 75.62% (p=0.0001), respectively. An increase was observed in the LRTI, acute bronchiolitis and asthma (from 8.22% to 10.01% (p=0.0001), from 2.76% to 3.07% (p=0.027) and from 5.96% to 14% (p=0.0001), respectively). Conclusions: A dramatic decrease was observed in the number of admissions to ED and inpatient clinics and outpatient clinic visits and PICU admissions, and, when the rates of admissions were compared, the general rate of admissions to ED showed a decrease while inpatient, outpatient clinics and PICU admissions demonstrated an increase during the pandemic.

Respiratory tract viruses

2020 ◽  
pp. 723-734
Author(s):  
Malik Peiris
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Lower Respiratory Tract ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Parainfluenza Viruses ◽  
Clinical Syndromes ◽  
Respiratory Tract Viruses ◽  
Syncytial Virus ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Viral Respiratory Infections

Viral respiratory infections, including coronavirus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza viruses, and influenza viruses, are a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic. Transmission occurs through direct contact, contaminated fomites, and large airborne droplets, with long-range transmission by small particle aerosols reported in at least some instances of influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome. Clinical syndromes affect the upper and/or lower respiratory tract, including coryza, pharyngitis, croup, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. Each syndrome can potentially be caused by several viruses, and each respiratory virus can be associated with different clinical syndromes. Measles is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infections and fatality in tropical countries.

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