Incidence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Older Adults: Limitations of Current Data

Journal article

This study explores the epidemiological trends of pathogens and respiratory co-infections in Messina, focusing on various age groups from pediatric to elderly patients. Acute respiratory tract infections (ARI) significantly impact global morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in children under five. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data indicates 17.2 billion cases of upper respiratory tract infections globally in 2019. The study analyzes the prevalence of respiratory pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Post-summer 2022, there was a significant rise in respiratory diseases, with peaks in different viruses, especially among vulnerable age groups. A retrospective study on 1,286 patients at the University Hospital "G. Martino" in Messina employed the FilmArray (Biofire RP2.1 by Biomerieux) for pathogen detection. The results identified SARS-CoV-2, Human Rhinovirus, and RSV as the most frequently isolated pathogens. Co-infections were prevalent, particularly in children aged 0-4 years, with seasonal infection peaks in the winter months. The study concludes that improving diagnostic tools and surveillance systems enhances patient management and reduces antibiotic use and ICU admissions. The findings highlight the necessity for ongoing surveillance and targeted preventive measures, particularly for young children and the elderly. The introduction of new vaccines and monoclonal antibodies offers promising future prevention strategies. This research underscores the critical need for robust surveillance and prevention programs to mitigate the impact of respiratory infections, thereby improving public health outcomes

Authors: Rozenbaum, MH; Begier, E; Kurosky, SK; Whelan, J; Bem, D

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Springer
• Journal: Infectious Diseases and Therapy
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 1487-1504
• Publication date: 2023-05-23
• DOI: 10.1007/s40121-023-00802-4
• EISSN: 2193-6382
• ISSN: 2193-8229
• Language: English
• Keywords: Medicine; Respiratory system; Epidemiology; Intensive care medicine; Pediatrics; Disease; Generalizability theory; Incidence (geometry); Respiratory tract infections; Internal medicine