Viral Respiratory Tract Pathogens During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to report viral respiratory pathogens during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Other viral pathogens were identified. COVID-19 immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G were detected. RESULTS: Of the 56 samples collected from women, 2 (3.5%) were positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), whereas 8 (10%) of the 80 samples from men were positive for SARS-CoV-2. The number of respiratory syncytial virus-A–positive cases was 6 (10.7%) in women and 14 (17.5%) in men. Two (3.5%) of the women were positive for parainfluenza-3, and 6 of the men were positive for influenza-B. The number of human metapneumovirus (HMPV)–positive women and men was 6 (10.7%) and 6 (7.5%), respectively. Rhinovirus caused 14.2% and 10% of the cases in men and women, respectively. With a ratio of 10.7% in women and 7.5% in men; SARS-CoV-2, with a ratio of 10% in men and 3.5% in women; influenza-B, with a ratio of 7.5% in men; and parainfluenza-3 and 4, with a ratio of 3.5% in women. SARS-CoV-2 had a mean incidence rate of 7% in men and women. The antibody screening results reveal that antibody formation did not occur in 3 women among the 10 patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19, and antibody formation occurred in 2 of 7 men. Antibody formation occurred in 5 women (16.6%) and 7 men (20.5%) among the 58 patients who were positive for other respiratory tract pathogens. However, 23 (29.5%) of the blood samples collected from 78 individuals who were negative for the COVID-19 agent and other respiratory tract viral pathogens were positive for the COVID-19 antibody. CONCLUSION: Because the climate is colder than normal in areas settled at higher altitudes, more than one pathogens act together. In addition, respiratory infections are seen in all seasons. This causes the diseases to be fewer and milder than in other regions.