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Epidemiology of viral respiratory infections in a tertiary care centre in the era of molecular diagnosis, Geneva, Switzerland, 2011-2012 |
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Published in | Clinical microbiology and infection. 2014, vol. 20, no. 9, p. O578-84 | |
Abstract | Few studies have examined the epidemiology of respiratory viral infections in large tertiary centres over more than one season in the era of molecular diagnosis. Respiratory clinical specimens received between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2012 were analysed. Respiratory virus testing was performed using a large panel of real-time PCR or RT-PCR. Results were analysed according to sample type (upper versus lower respiratory tract) and age group. In all, 2996 (2469 (82.4%) upper; 527 (17.6%) lower) specimens were analysed. Overall positivity rate was 47.4% and 23.7% for upper and lower respiratory samples, respectively. The highest positivity rate was observed in patients under 18 years old (p <0.001); picornaviruses were the most frequent viruses detected over the year. Influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus and coronaviruses showed a seasonal peak during the winter season, while picornaviruses and adenoviruses were less frequently detected in these periods. Multiple viral infections were identified in 12% of positive cases and were significantly more frequent in children (p <0.001). In conclusion, we observed significant differences in viral infection rates and virus types among age groups, clinical sample types and seasons. Follow-up of viral detection over several seasons allows a better understanding of respiratory viral epidemiology. | |
Keywords | Adolescent — Adult — Aged — Aged, 80 and over — Child — Child, Preschool — Coinfection/epidemiology/virology — Female — Humans — Infant — Infant, Newborn — Male — Middle Aged — Molecular Diagnostic Techniques — Prevalence — Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction — Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology/virology — Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction — Switzerland/epidemiology — Tertiary Care Centers — Virus Diseases/epidemiology/virology — Viruses/classification/genetics/isolation & purification — Young Adult | |
Identifiers | PMID: 24382326 | |
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Research group | Groupe Laurent Kaiser (virologie clinique) (668) | |
Citation (ISO format) | AMBROSIONI CZYRKO, Juan et al. Epidemiology of viral respiratory infections in a tertiary care centre in the era of molecular diagnosis, Geneva, Switzerland, 2011-2012. In: Clinical microbiology and infection, 2014, vol. 20, n° 9, p. O578-84. doi: 10.1111/1469-0691.12525 https://archive-ouverte.unige.ch/unige:74424 |