title: Epidemiology of viral respiratory infections in a tertiary care centre in the era of molecular diagnosis, Geneva, Switzerland, 2011-2012.
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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Virology, Division of Laboratory Medicine, University of Geneva Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Geneva Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ambrosioni
authors.forename: P-O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Bridevaux
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mamin
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kaiser
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D060085:Coinfection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D015995:Prevalence; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D014780:Viruses / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adenovirus; coronavirus; epidemiology; influenza; picornavirus; respiratory syncytial virus; respiratory virus; seasonality