Transmission of paediatric respiratory syncytial virus and influenza in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic

The non-pharmaceutical interventions implemented to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2 have had consequences on the transmission of other respiratory viruses, most notably paediatric respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza. At the beginning of 2020, lockdown measures in the southern hemisphere led to a winter season with a marked reduction in both infections. Intermittent lockdowns in the northern hemisphere also appeared to interrupt transmission during winter 2020/21. However, a number of southern and northern hemisphere countries have now seen delayed RSV peaks. We examine the implications of these unpredictable disease dynamics for health service delivery in Europe, such as paediatric hospital and intensive care bed space planning, or palivizumab prophylaxis. We discuss the challenges for RSV vaccine trials and influenza immunisation campaigns, and highlight the considerable research opportunities that have arisen with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We argue that the rapid advances in viral whole genome sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, and open data sharing during the pandemic are applicable to the ongoing surveillance of RSV and influenza. Lastly, we outline actions to prepare for forthcoming influenza seasons and for future implementation of RSV vaccines.

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Delayed Start of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Epidemic at the End of the 20/21 Northern Hemisphere Winter Season, Lyon, France

10.1101/2021.03.12.21253446 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jean-sebastien Casalegno ◽

Etienne Javouhey ◽

Dominique Ploin ◽

Martine Valette ◽

Remi Fanget ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Northern Hemisphere ◽

Winter Season ◽

Late Season ◽

Syncytial Virus ◽

Ongoing Surveillance ◽

Hemisphere Winter ◽

Pharmaceutical Interventions ◽

Northern Hemisphere Winter

AbstractThe implementation of Non Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI), triggered by the emergence of covid-19, decrease the RSV circulation. Data, from our ongoing surveillance; show a late introduction of RSV at the end of December and a 4 month delayed epidemic start without significant change in our NPI policy. This data indicates that RSV still have the potential to give a late season outbreak in northern hemisphere. RSV surveillance should be reinforced and RSV Pharmaceutical Interventions maintained for at risk neonate

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Novel Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Genotype ON1 Predominates in Germany during Winter Season 2012–13

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0109191 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. e109191 ◽

Cited By ~ 60

Author(s):

Julia Tabatabai ◽

Christiane Prifert ◽

Johannes Pfeil ◽

Jürgen Grulich-Henn ◽

Paul Schnitzler

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Winter Season ◽

Syncytial Virus

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Correction: Correction: Molecular Characterization of Circulating Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Genotypes in Gilgit Baltistan Province of Pakistan during 2011–2012 Winter Season

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0151009 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. e0151009

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Molecular Characterization ◽

Winter Season ◽

Syncytial Virus ◽

Gilgit Baltistan

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Medical Burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 Infection Among US Children: Implications for Design of Vaccine Trials

Human Vaccines ◽

10.4161/hv.1.1.1424 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 6-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Min-Shi Lee ◽

Robert E. Walker ◽

Paul M. Mendelman

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Virus Type ◽

Parainfluenza Virus ◽

Vaccine Trials ◽

Syncytial Virus ◽

Us Children ◽

Medical Burden ◽

Type 3

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A multi-tiered time-series modelling approach to forecasting respiratory syncytial virus incidence at the local level

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268811001026 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 140 (4) ◽

pp. 602-607 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

M. C. SPAEDER ◽

J. C. FACKLER

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Local Community ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Local Level ◽

Severity Of Illness ◽

Paediatric Hospital ◽

Time Series Modelling ◽

Syncytial Virus ◽

Viral Respiratory Infections

SUMMARYRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of documented viral respiratory infections, and the leading cause of hospitalization, in young children. We performed a retrospective time-series analysis of all patients aged <18 years with laboratory-confirmed RSV within a network of multiple affiliated academic medical institutions. Forecasting models of weekly RSV incidence for the local community, inpatient paediatric hospital and paediatric intensive-care unit (PICU) were created. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals calculated around our models' 2-week forecasts were accurate to ±9·3, ±7·5 and ±1·5 cases/week for the local community, inpatient hospital and PICU, respectively. Our results suggest that time-series models may be useful tools in forecasting the burden of RSV infection at the local and institutional levels, helping communities and institutions to optimize distribution of resources based on the changing burden and severity of illness in their respective communities.

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Accuracy of diagnostic tests for respiratory syncytial virus infection within a paediatric hospital population in Kilifi County, Kenya

Wellcome Open Research ◽

10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16067.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 155

Author(s):

Marshal M. Mweu ◽

Nickson Murunga ◽

Juliet W. Otieno ◽

D. James Nokes

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Diagnostic Tests ◽

Latent Class ◽

Respiratory Illness ◽

Acute Respiratory Illness ◽

Predictive Values ◽

Paediatric Hospital ◽

Rsv Infection ◽

Hospital Population ◽

Syncytial Virus

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-induced lower respiratory tract disease is a prominent cause of hospitalisation among children aged <5 years in developing countries. Accurate and rapid diagnostic tests are central to informing effective patient management and surveillance efforts geared towards quantifying RSV disease burden. This study sought to estimate the sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp) (along with the associated factors) and predictive values of a direct immunofluorescence test (IFAT), and two real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assays for RSV infection within a paediatric hospital population: a multiplex rRT-PCR (MPX) and Fast-Track Diagnostics® (FTD) Respiratory Pathogens 33 (Resp-33) rRT-PCR. Methods: The study enlisted 1458 paediatrics aged ≤59 months admitted with acute respiratory illness at the Kilifi County Hospital between August 2011 and December 2013. A Bayesian latent class modelling framework was employed to infer the tests’ estimates based on the patients’ diagnostic data from the three tests. Results: The tests posted statistically similar Se estimates: IFAT (93.7%, [90.7; 95.0]), FTD (97.8%, [94.6; 99.4]) and MPX (97.5%, [94.2; 99.3]). As for Sp, FTD registered a lower estimate (97.4%, [96.2; 98.2]) than MPX (99.7%, [99.0; 100.0]) but similar to IFAT (99.0%, [98.2; 99.6]). The negative and positive predictive values were strong (>91%) and closely mimicked the pattern given by the Se and Sp values respectively. None of the examined covariates (age, sex and pneumonia status) significantly influenced the accuracy of the tests. Conclusions: The evaluation found little to choose between the three diagnostic tests. Nonetheless, with its relative affordability, the conventional IFAT continues to hold promise for use in patient care and surveillance activities for RSV infection within settings where children are hospitalised with severe acute respiratory illness.

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Burden of respiratory syncytial virus hospitalisation among infants born at 32–35 weeks' gestational age in the Northern Hemisphere: pooled analysis of seven studies

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268820001661 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 148 ◽

Author(s):

M. Lanari ◽

E.J. Anderson ◽

M. Sheridan-Pereira ◽

X. Carbonell-Estrany ◽

B. Paes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Northern Hemisphere ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Pooled Analysis ◽

Hospital Length ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Non Invasive Ventilation ◽

Comprehensive Information ◽

Syncytial Virus

Abstract To provide comprehensive information on the epidemiology and burden of respiratory syncytial virus hospitalisation (RSVH) in preterm infants, a pooled analysis was undertaken of seven multicentre, prospective, observational studies from across the Northern Hemisphere (2000–2014). Data from all 320–356 weeks' gestational age (wGA) infants without comorbidity were analysed. RSVH occurred in 534/14 504 (3.7%) infants; equating to a rate of 5.65 per 100 patient-seasons, with the rate in individual wGA groups dependent upon exposure time (P = 0.032). Most RSVHs (60.1%) occurred in December–January. Median age at RSVH was 88 days (interquartile range (IQR): 54–159). Respiratory support was required by 82.0% of infants: oxygen in 70.4% (median 4 (IQR: 2–6) days); non-invasive ventilation in 19.3% (median 3 (IQR: 2–5) days); and mechanical ventilation in 10.2% (median 5 (IQR: 3–7) days). Intensive care unit admission was required by 17.9% of infants (median 6 days (IQR: 2–8) days). Median overall hospital length of stay (LOS) was 5 (IQR: 3–8) days. Hospital resource use was similar across wGA groups except for overall LOS, which was shortest in those born 35 wGA (median 3 vs. 4–6 days for 32–34 wGA; P < 0.001). Strategies to reduce the burden of RSVH in otherwise healthy 32–35 wGA infants are indicated.

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Community and nosocomially acquired respiratory syncytial virus infection in a German paediatric hospital from 1988 to 1999

European Journal of Pediatrics ◽

10.1007/s004310100801 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 160 (9) ◽

pp. 541-547 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Reinhard Berner ◽

Florian Schwoerer ◽

Richard F. Schumacher ◽

Milan Meder ◽

Johannes Forster

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Virus Infection ◽

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection ◽

Paediatric Hospital ◽

Syncytial Virus

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Evaluation of Alere i RSV for Rapid Detection of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Children Hospitalized with Acute Respiratory Tract Infection

Journal of Clinical Microbiology ◽

10.1128/jcm.02433-16 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 55 (4) ◽

pp. 1032-1036 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Rebecca Marie Peters ◽

Sarah Valerie Schnee ◽

Julia Tabatabai ◽

Paul Schnitzler ◽

Johannes Pfeil

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Tract Infection ◽

Respiratory Tract ◽

Respiratory Tract Infection ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Winter Season ◽

Acute Respiratory Tract Infection ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Viral Transport Medium ◽

Syncytial Virus

ABSTRACT Alere i RSV is a novel rapid test which applies a nicking enzyme amplification reaction to detect respiratory syncytial virus in point-of-care settings. In this study, we evaluated the Alere i RSV assay by using frozen nasopharyngeal swab samples that were collected in viral transport medium from children hospitalized with acute respiratory tract infection during the 2015-2016 winter season. Alere i RSV assay results were compared to those for Altona RealStar RSV real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). We found that the overall sensitivity and specificity of the Alere i RSV test was 100% (95% confidence intervals [CI], 93% to 100%) and 97% (95% CI, 89% to 100%), respectively. Positive samples were identified within 5 to 7 min from sample collection. Overall, the Alere i RSV test performed well compared to the RT-PCR assay and has the potential to facilitate the detection of RSV in point-of-care settings.

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