Variation in the seasonality of the respiratory syncytial virus during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a variation in the circulation of common respiratory viruses. Our objective was to analyse the epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison with previous epidemic seasons. METHODS: W...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Bermúdez Barrezueta, Lorena, Matías Del Pozo, Vanesa, López-Casillas, Pablo, Brezmes Raposo, Marta, Gutiérrez Zamorano, María, Pino Vázquez, María de la Asunción
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Springer Berlin Heidelberg 2022
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8938970/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35316529
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s15010-022-01794-y
Descripción
Sumario:BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a variation in the circulation of common respiratory viruses. Our objective was to analyse the epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison with previous epidemic seasons. METHODS: We conducted an observational study involving infants with RSV bronchiolitis admitted to a tertiary hospital during two periods: pandemic COVID-19 (15 March 2020–30 September 2021) and pre-pandemic (1 October 2014–14 March 2020). Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected. RESULTS: A total of 270 patients were admitted for RSV bronchiolitis: 253 in the pre-pandemic period with an average of 42 admissions per season vs 17 in the pandemic. During the pandemic, the RSV outbreak started late in June 2021 with a higher percentage of prematurity and PICU admissions. CONCLUSION: A change in RSV seasonality was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an unusual outbreak in summer 2021 of lower magnitude than previous seasons.