COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Co-Infections: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Τhe COVID-19 pandemic highly impacted the circulation, seasonality, and morbidity burden of several respiratory viruses. We reviewed published cases of SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory virus co-infections as of 12 April 2022. SARS-CoV-2 and influenza co-infections were reported almost exclusively during t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Viruses |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/4/865 |
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| author | Helena C. Maltezou Amalia Papanikolopoulou Sofia Vassiliu Kalliopi Theodoridou Georgia Nikolopoulou Nikolaos V. Sipsas |
| author_facet | Helena C. Maltezou Amalia Papanikolopoulou Sofia Vassiliu Kalliopi Theodoridou Georgia Nikolopoulou Nikolaos V. Sipsas |
| author_sort | Helena C. Maltezou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Τhe COVID-19 pandemic highly impacted the circulation, seasonality, and morbidity burden of several respiratory viruses. We reviewed published cases of SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory virus co-infections as of 12 April 2022. SARS-CoV-2 and influenza co-infections were reported almost exclusively during the first pandemic wave. It is possible that the overall incidence of SARS-CoV-2 co-infections is higher because of the paucity of co-testing for respiratory viruses during the first pandemic waves when mild cases might have been missed. Animal models indicate severe lung pathology and high fatality; nevertheless, the available literature is largely inconclusive regarding the clinical course and prognosis of co-infected patients. Animal models also indicate the importance of considering the sequence timing of each respiratory virus infection; however, there is no such information in reported human cases. Given the differences between 2020 and 2023 in terms of epidemiology and availability of vaccines and specific treatment against COVID-19, it is rational not to extrapolate these early findings to present times. It is expected that the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory virus co-infections will evolve in the upcoming seasons. Multiplex real-time PCR-based assays have been developed in the past two years and should be used to increase diagnostic and infection control capacity, and also for surveillance purposes. Given that COVID-19 and influenza share the same high-risk groups, it is essential that the latter get vaccinated against both viruses. Further studies are needed to elucidate how SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory virus co-infections will be shaped in the upcoming years, in terms of impact and prognosis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T04:27:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6f0239e2bbd54979ab8e6d03660bbf95 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4915 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T04:27:11Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Viruses |
| spelling | doaj.art-6f0239e2bbd54979ab8e6d03660bbf952023-11-17T21:44:51ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152023-03-0115486510.3390/v15040865COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Co-Infections: A Systematic Review of the LiteratureHelena C. Maltezou0Amalia Papanikolopoulou1Sofia Vassiliu2Kalliopi Theodoridou3Georgia Nikolopoulou4Nikolaos V. Sipsas5Directorate of Research, Studies and Documentation, National Public Health Organization, 15123 Athens, GreeceThird Department of Internal Medicine, Sotiria General Hospital for Thoracic Diseases, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Sotiria General Hospital, 11527 Athens, GreeceNafplion General Hospital, 21100 Nafplion, GreeceDepartment of Microbiology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 16121 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Hepatitides, National Public Health Organization, 15123 Athens, GreecePathophysiology Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, GreeceΤhe COVID-19 pandemic highly impacted the circulation, seasonality, and morbidity burden of several respiratory viruses. We reviewed published cases of SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory virus co-infections as of 12 April 2022. SARS-CoV-2 and influenza co-infections were reported almost exclusively during the first pandemic wave. It is possible that the overall incidence of SARS-CoV-2 co-infections is higher because of the paucity of co-testing for respiratory viruses during the first pandemic waves when mild cases might have been missed. Animal models indicate severe lung pathology and high fatality; nevertheless, the available literature is largely inconclusive regarding the clinical course and prognosis of co-infected patients. Animal models also indicate the importance of considering the sequence timing of each respiratory virus infection; however, there is no such information in reported human cases. Given the differences between 2020 and 2023 in terms of epidemiology and availability of vaccines and specific treatment against COVID-19, it is rational not to extrapolate these early findings to present times. It is expected that the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory virus co-infections will evolve in the upcoming seasons. Multiplex real-time PCR-based assays have been developed in the past two years and should be used to increase diagnostic and infection control capacity, and also for surveillance purposes. Given that COVID-19 and influenza share the same high-risk groups, it is essential that the latter get vaccinated against both viruses. Further studies are needed to elucidate how SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory virus co-infections will be shaped in the upcoming years, in terms of impact and prognosis.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/4/865COVID-19SARS-CoV-2influenzaRSVrespiratory virusco-infection |
| spellingShingle | Helena C. Maltezou Amalia Papanikolopoulou Sofia Vassiliu Kalliopi Theodoridou Georgia Nikolopoulou Nikolaos V. Sipsas COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Co-Infections: A Systematic Review of the Literature Viruses COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 influenza RSV respiratory virus co-infection |
| title | COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Co-Infections: A Systematic Review of the Literature |
| title_full | COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Co-Infections: A Systematic Review of the Literature |
| title_fullStr | COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Co-Infections: A Systematic Review of the Literature |
| title_full_unstemmed | COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Co-Infections: A Systematic Review of the Literature |
| title_short | COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Co-Infections: A Systematic Review of the Literature |
| title_sort | covid 19 and respiratory virus co infections a systematic review of the literature |
| topic | COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 influenza RSV respiratory virus co-infection |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/4/865 |
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