Viral co-infection with human respiratory syncytial virus in suspected
acute and severe respiratory tract infections during COVID-19 pandemic
in Yaoundé-Cameroon, 2020-2021
Abstract
Background: Acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI) are one
leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people of all ages
worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The
purpose of this study was to determine epidemiological characteristics
of respiratory viruses in ARI patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in
Yaoundé, Cameroon. Methods: Patients were monitored for respiratory
symptoms as part of surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory
viral infections. Patients of all ages with respiratory symptoms less
than 5 days were considered. Sociodemographic and clinical data as well
as nasopharyngeal samples was collected from patients. Nasopharyngeal
samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2, Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial
Virus (RSV) using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain
reaction methods. Virus distribution and demographic data were analyzed
with R version 2.15.1. Results: From July 2020 to October 2021, 1120
patients were included. The overall viral detection rate was 32.5%,
including 9.5 % for RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), 12.6 % for
influenza virus and 12.8 % for SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome Coronavirus 2). Co-infections were detected in 6.9% of
positive cases. While RSV and influenza virus showed seasonal trends,
SARS-CoV-2 was detected throughout the study period. Conclusion: We
found that during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, respiratory viruses play an
important role in aetiology of influenza-like illness in Cameroon, and
this observation was true for patients of all ages.