title: Respiratory viruses and bacteria among pilgrims during the 2013 Hajj.
abstract: Pilgrims returning from the Hajj might contribute to international spreading of respiratory pathogens. Nasal and throat swab specimens were obtained from 129 pilgrims in 2013 before they departed from France and before they left Saudi Arabia, and tested by PCR for respiratory viruses and bacteria. Overall, 21.5% and 38.8% of pre-Hajj and post-Hajj specimens, respectively, were positive for ≥1 virus (p = 0.003). One third (29.8%) of the participants acquired ≥1 virus, particularly rhinovirus (14.0%), coronavirus E229 (12.4%), and influenza A(H3N2) virus (6.2%) while in Saudi Arabia. None of the participants were positive for the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. In addition, 50.0% and 62.0% of pre-Hajj and post-Hajj specimens, respectively, were positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae (p = 0.053). One third (36.3%) of the participants had acquired S. pneumoniae during their stay. Our results confirm high acquisition rates of rhinovirus and S. pneumoniae in pilgrims and highlight the acquisition of coronavirus E229.
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benkouiten
authors.forename: Rémi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Charrel
authors.forename: Khadidja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Belhouchat
authors.forename: Tassadit
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Drali
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nougairede
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Salez
authors.forename: Ziad A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Memish
authors.forename: Malak
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Masri
authors.forename: Pierre-Edouard
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Fournier
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raoult
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brouqui
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parola
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gautret
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D062486:Public Health Surveillance; D012067:Religion; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000266:history / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000821:virology*; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014195:Travel; D014780:Viruses / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification