The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on surveillance of influenza and influenza-like viruses: a single center experience

Authors : Metin ÖZSOY, Necla TÜLEK

Pages : 756-762

Doi:10.32322/jhsm.1303422

View : 75 | Download : 97

Publication Date : 2023-07-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aims: Influenza and the agents responsible for influenza-like illness insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ILI); are a significant cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections, with a notable pattern of seasonal incidence. The surveillance of influenza and agents causing ILI is important for the developmentof a prophylaxis approach and infection control. In the present study, we utilize the Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(RT-PCR); method to identify the presence of influenza virus and other agents associated with ILI in nasopharyngeal smears obtained from patients exhibiting symptoms of influenza and ILI. The study sample included patients who were admitted to multiple clinics and intensive care units insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ICU); of the Health Sciences University Ankara Training and Research Hospital in the period preceding, and in the initial months and first year following the coronavirus disease 2019 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(COVID-19); outbreak. Throughthe comparisons made in the study, the intention is to gain a better understanding of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on other viral infectious agents transmitted via the respiratory tract. Methods: Included in the study were 257 admitted to different wards and ICUs of our hospital due to symptoms of upper or lower respiratory tract infection and ILI between 2015 and 2021 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(excluding data from 2017–2018);. The study was conducted prospectively within the scope of the Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network project. Using sterile swabs, nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected from inpatients who provided informed consent for their participation in the study, and the samples were placed in a viral transport medium. The presence of influenza viruses insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Influenza A, subtypes of Influenza A and Influenza B); and agents causing ILI insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(i.e. respiratory syncytial virus, coronavirus); was investigated with an RT-PCR approach. Results: The most common symptoms among the 257 patients included in the study with pre-diagnoses of influenza and ILI were cough insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(82.2%);, fever insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(67.7%);, shortness of breath insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(66.1%); and myalgia insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(40%);. The RT-PCR detected a viral agent in 60 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(23.3%); of the 257 patients, whereas no agent could be detected in 197 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(76.6%); patients. Furthermore, 51 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(18.5%); tested positive for influenza virus, five insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1.9%); for respiratory syncytial virus insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(RSV);, and four insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1.5%); for SARS-CoV-2. An analysis of the results within two distinct time frames, namely prior to the COVID-19 pandemic insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2016–2017, 2019–prior to December 10, 2020); and during the COVID-19 pandemic insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(between December 11, 2020 and 2021);, influenza viruses insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(influenza A H1N1 and influenza A H3N2);, RSV and influenza type B were identified as the dominant viruses before the COVID-19 pandemic, while the predominant viruses were a single influenza strain and four SARS-CoV-2 variants during the COVID-19 pandemic.A significant difference was noted in the distribution of viruses between the two time frames – prior to the pandemic and during the pandemic. Of the patients, 199 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(77.4%); were discharged with full recovery while 58 patients died insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(22.6%);. Of the 58 patients that died, 25 were female insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(25/131 females); and 33 were male insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(33/126 males);, 11 had tested positive for influenza virus andone for RSV, while no infectious agent could be identified in 46 patients. Conclusion: The implementation of molecular testing methods for the identification of viral infectious agents among inpatients during influenza and ILI outbreaks, administering antiviral and prophylactic treatments targeting influenza, RSV and SARS-CoV-2 infections, and adopting infection control measures, could significantly decrease mortality and morbidity rates while mitigating the complications associated with these infectious agents.
Keywords : Influenza, influenza like viruses, SARS CoV 2, pandemic