Pathogen Profile of Children Hospitalised with Severe Acute Respiratory Infections during COVID-19 Pandemic in the Free State Province, South Africa.

ABSTRACT: Severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) contribute to mortality in children ≤5 years. Their microbiological aetiologies are often unknown and may be exacerbated in light of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). This study reports on respiratory pathogens in children ≤5 years (n = 84) admitted with SARI during and between the second and third waves of COVID-19 infection in South Africa. Nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs collected were subjected to viral detection using QIAstat-Dx^® Respiratory SARS-CoV-2 Panel. The results revealed viral positivity and negativity detection rates of 88% (74/84) and 12% (10/84), respectively. Of the 21 targeted pathogens, human rhinovirus/enterovirus (30%), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV; 26%), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

SUBMITTER: Ogunbayo AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9408356 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature