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. 2024 Aug 3;14(8):824.
doi: 10.3390/jpm14080824.

Proportions and Seasonal Patterns of Respiratory Viruses via Rapid Tests in Adults at a Greek Hospital (Oct. 2023-Mar. 2024)

Eleni Rousogianni  1 , Garyfallia Perlepe  1 , Stylianos Boutlas  1   2 , Georgia G Rapti  1 , Evdoxia Gouta  1 , Eleni Mpaltopoulou  1 , Giorgos Mpaltopoulos  1 , Erasmia Rouka  3 , Dimitrios Papagiannis  4 , Konstantinos I Gourgoulianis  1
Affiliations

Proportions and Seasonal Patterns of Respiratory Viruses via Rapid Tests in Adults at a Greek Hospital (Oct. 2023-Mar. 2024)

Eleni Rousogianni et al. J Pers Med. .

Abstract

Background: Respiratory infections pose a major public health threat. The predominant viruses causing viral respiratory infections are influenza A and B (Flu-A, Flu-B), coronaviruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and adenovirus. This study aims to investigate the proportion of these cases via rapid antigen tests and assess seasonal patterns.

Methods: Clinical samples were collected from symptomatic adults presenting to the Emergency and Respiratory Medicine Departments of the University Hospital of Larissa (UHL), Greece from 16 October 2023 to 31 March 2024. Nasal specimens were antigen-tested for Flu-A/B, SARS-CoV-2, RSV, and adenovirus.

Results: The total sample of specimens collected was 1434, of which 739 (51.5%) were female and 695 were male (48.5%). The mean age of participants was 57 ± 5.5 years. Among the positive results, we recorded a proportion of 40.18% and 11.40% for influenza A and B, respectively, followed by 35.79% for SARS-CoV-2, 10.70% for RSV, and 1.93% for adenovirus.

Conclusions: In Greece, surveillance systems in infection control are underutilized. Rapid tests via multiple antigens can quickly identify viral infections, making them a valuable tool with financial benefits for health systems. Early detection of respiratory infections helps allocate resources efficiently, ensures adequate staff and facilities are available, and improves patient care through refined clinical management.

Keywords: RSV; SARS-CoV-2; adenovirus; epidemiology; influenza A/B; rapid test; respiratory infections; seasonality.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Number of diagnosed (green columns) and undiagnosed (gray columns) cases of respiratory viruses via rapid antigen tests in patients with symptoms of respiratory infection presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) and Respiratory Medicine Department of the University Hospital of Larissa, Greece, between 16 October 2023 (W42), and 31 March 2024 (W13), by epidemiologic week.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Number of visits for respiratory infection symptoms to the Emergency Department (ED) and Respiratory Medicine Department of the University General Hospital of Larissa, Greece, from 16 October 2023 (Week 42) to 31 March 2024 (Week 13), by epidemiologic week with a 2-period moving average line.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Number of positive rapid antigen test results positive for various respiratory pathogens among patients presenting with symptoms of respiratory infection to the Emergency Department (ED) and Respiratory Medicine Department of the University Hospital of Larissa, Greece between 16 October 2023 (W42), and 31 March 2024 (W13). The data are segmented by epidemiologic week and shown in four bar charts, each with a 2-period moving average line and individual scaling to best represent the data. (A) Influenza A (blue columns) and influenza B (orange columns). (B) SARS-CoV-2 (red columns). (C) RSV (green columns). (D) Adenovirus (yellow columns).
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