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. 2020 Dec;81(6):966-972.
doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2020.11.010. Epub 2020 Nov 15.

SARS-CoV-2 has displaced other seasonal respiratory viruses: Results from a prospective cohort study

Stephen Poole  1 , Nathan J Brendish  2 , Tristan W Clark  3
Affiliations

SARS-CoV-2 has displaced other seasonal respiratory viruses: Results from a prospective cohort study

Stephen Poole et al. J Infect. 2020 Dec.

Abstract

Objectives: The effect of SARS-CoV-2 on existing respiratory viruses in circulation and the overall burden of viral respiratory disease remains uncertain. Traditionally, severe viral respiratory disease disproportionally affects those with underlying chronic lung diseases. This study aimed to assess the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the prevalence and clinical characteristics of respiratory virus disease in hospitalised adults.

Methods: Data for this cohort study were from hospitalised adults who had multiplex PCR testing for respiratory viruses over several seasons in Hampshire, UK. Respiratory virus detection during the first epidemic peak of SARS-CoV-2 was compared to detection during the same time period across previous years.

Results: 856 patients had multiplex PCR for respiratory viruses between March and May over 5 years. Before 2020, a non-SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected in 54% patients (202/371) compared to 4.1% (20/485) in 2020 (p < 0.0001). SARS-CoV-2 was associated with asthma or COPD exacerbations in a smaller proportion of infected patients compared to other viruses (1.0% vs 37%, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 was associated with substantial reductions in the circulation of seasonal respiratory viruses and large differences in the characteristics of viral-associated disease, including illness in a greater proportion of patients without underlying lung disease.

Keywords: COVID-19; Influenza; Molecular diagnostics; Pneumonia; Point-of-care testing; Respiratory viruses; SARS-CoV-2.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Proportion of positive respiratory viral swabs in March to May 2020.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Proportion of positive non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viral swabs by year.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Proportion of positive respiratory viral swabs by year, divided by viral type.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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