Scholarlink

Background <p>Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are a major cause of morbidity and hospitalization in pediatric populations. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant shifts in the epidemiology of respiratory viruses, particularly <i>influenza</i> viruses and <i>human bocavirus 1</i> (<i>HBoV1</i>). This study aims to investigate the impact of the pandemic on the prevalence of <i>HBoV1</i> and its clinical implications in pediatric ARTIs.</p> Materials and methods <p>A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary pediatric emergency department (ED) over three consecutive winter seasons: the pre-pandemic period (2017–2019) and the post-pandemic period (2022–2024). Nasopharyngeal swabs were analyzed using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify respiratory viruses. Clinical and demographic characteristics, hospitalization rates, disease severity, and outcomes were systematically evaluated.</p> Results <p>Among 541 children (median age: 14 months), respiratory viruses were identified in 53.9%. The prevalence of <i>HBoV1</i> increased significantly in the post-pandemic period (9.5% vs. 20.8%)(<i>p &lt; 0.001</i>), whereas <i>influenza A/B</i> infections declined (<i>p &lt; 0.001</i>). Co-infections decreased (13.4% to 5.3%), though <i>HBoV1</i> was strongly linked to co-infections (<i>p = 0.001</i>). Severe illness was significantly associated with co-infections (aOR: 7.3, 95% CI: 3.9–14.2, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) and age ≤ 1 year (aOR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.2–5.1, <i>p</i> = 0.008).</p> Conclusion <p>The post-pandemic period is characterized by an increased prevalence of <i>HBoV1</i> and a decline in <i>influenza A/B</i> infections. While <i>HBoV1</i> alone does not appear to contribute to severe disease, co-infections, particularly with <i>RSV</i>, significantly increase morbidity. These findings highlight the need for continued viral surveillance and tailored clinical management strategies to address shifting epidemiological patterns in pediatric ARTIs.</p> Clinical trial <p>Not applicable.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Shifting trends in influenza and rising HBoV cases: a comparative analysis over 3-winter seasons

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月19日

查看全文
  • Meltem Cetin,
  • Caner Turan,
  • Ceren Yurumez,
  • Ali Yurtseven,
  • Candan Cicek,
  • Eylem Ulas Saz

摘要

Background

Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are a major cause of morbidity and hospitalization in pediatric populations. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant shifts in the epidemiology of respiratory viruses, particularly influenza viruses and human bocavirus 1 (HBoV1). This study aims to investigate the impact of the pandemic on the prevalence of HBoV1 and its clinical implications in pediatric ARTIs.

Materials and methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary pediatric emergency department (ED) over three consecutive winter seasons: the pre-pandemic period (2017–2019) and the post-pandemic period (2022–2024). Nasopharyngeal swabs were analyzed using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify respiratory viruses. Clinical and demographic characteristics, hospitalization rates, disease severity, and outcomes were systematically evaluated.

Results

Among 541 children (median age: 14 months), respiratory viruses were identified in 53.9%. The prevalence of HBoV1 increased significantly in the post-pandemic period (9.5% vs. 20.8%)(p < 0.001), whereas influenza A/B infections declined (p < 0.001). Co-infections decreased (13.4% to 5.3%), though HBoV1 was strongly linked to co-infections (p = 0.001). Severe illness was significantly associated with co-infections (aOR: 7.3, 95% CI: 3.9–14.2, p < 0.001) and age ≤ 1 year (aOR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.2–5.1, p = 0.008).

Conclusion

The post-pandemic period is characterized by an increased prevalence of HBoV1 and a decline in influenza A/B infections. While HBoV1 alone does not appear to contribute to severe disease, co-infections, particularly with RSV, significantly increase morbidity. These findings highlight the need for continued viral surveillance and tailored clinical management strategies to address shifting epidemiological patterns in pediatric ARTIs.

Clinical trial

Not applicable.