title: Prevalence and Seasonal Distribution of Respiratory Viruses During the 2014 - 2015 Season in Istanbul.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) is one of the most common infections worldwide, causing significant morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and seasonal distribution of respiratory viruses in our region, in children and adults with a pre-diagnosis of ARTI.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 845 nasopharyngeal swab specimens were analyzed with the RespiFinder Smart 22 kit (PathoFinder BV, Netherlands) and the Rotor-Gene 6000 real-time PCR system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At least one pathogen was detected in 612 (72.4%) of the specimens. Overall, 902 pathogens were detected; 821 (91%) were viruses and 81 (9%) were bacteria. The most commonly detected pathogens were influenza A virus (IFV-A) (n = 219), influenza B virus (IFV-B) (n=157), rhinovirus/enterovirus (n = 107), human bocavirus (HBoV) (n = 91), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) A/B (n = 64), adenovirus (n = 56), human coronaviruses (n = 51),Mycoplasma pneumoniae(n = 49), parainfluenza viruses (n = 40), human metapneumovirus (n = 36),Bordetella pertussis(n = 15),Legionella pneumophila(n = 11), andChlamydophila pneumoniae(n = 6), respectively. Among the 215 (25.4%) co-infected cases, IFV-A/HBoV and IFV-A/IFV-B were the most common co-infections. IFV-A was the most prevalent agent in all age groups except for children under 5 years of age, in whom RSV A/B was the most common pathogen. Approximately two thirds of the respiratory viruses were detected in early spring and winter, with peaks in January, March, and April.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With regard to the prevalence and seasonal distribution of respiratory viruses, our epidemiological data for the 2014 - 2015 season in Istanbul showed a predominance of IFV-A infections with a peak activity in early spring. Enhanced surveillance and early detection of respiratory viral pathogens can be useful in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ARTIs, and for guiding the development of appropriate public health strategies.
authors: Gelisim Medical Laboratories, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Safak
authors: S
authors: Goktas
authors: Izmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Department of Medical Microbiology, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Mumtaz Cem
authors: MC
authors: Sirin
keywords: Acute Respiratory Tract Infection; Multiplex PCR; Respiratory Viruses