RESPIRATORY PATHOGENS CIRCULATION AMONG NON-REACTIVE SARS-CoV2 PATIENTS
DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN MOROCCO
Abstract
Background: The outbreak of SARS-COV-2 has necessitated the
implementation of urgent measures to suppress the transmission of the
virus, including the mandatory public use of masks, regular hand
washing, and social distancing. These measures may also be effective in
reducing other respiratory infectious deseases, such as Influenza and
severe acute respiratory illness. Therefore, the aim of the study was to
estimate the prevalence of respiratory pathogens among SARS-CoV2
non-reactive patients, admitted in healthcare facilities in the context
of COVID-19 management. Material and Method: From February to July 2021,
a total number of 167 nasopharyngeal swabs from adults fitting the case
definition of COVID-19 syndrome and negative to SARS-CoV-2 were enrolled
from seven regional sites in Morocco.All samples were subject to a
multiplexed nucleic acid test intended for the simultaneous detection
and differentiation of 22 respiratory pathogens. Results: Our study
showed that overall, theprevalence of respiratory pathogens was 43%
(n=72). The main detected pathogens were typed as Human Rhinovirus (HRV)
(38%), Human Coronavirus OC43 (37%) and Human Parainfluenza3 (HPIV3)
(12%). Conclusion: Our findings support the notion that during the
SARS-CoV2 pandemic, the detection of Influenza A/B, Human
Metapneumovirus, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus all declined.
Meanwhile, there was a noticeable increase in HRV and HCoV OC43. The
dynamics of airborne transmission and epidemic patterns were thus
assumed to be greatly improved by the SARS-CoV-2 prophylactic measures.
These findings could be useful in guiding future prevention and
management of respiratory illnesses.