Epidemic season 2021–2022: Frequency of co-infection by respiratory viral pathogens

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to determine the characteristics of various viral respiratory pathogens spreading during the epidemic season 2021–2022 and the frequency of co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 and influenza.

AIM: To assess the development of the influenza epidemic and frequency of cases of co-infection with respiratory pathogens in patients with acute respiratory viral infections between 2021 and 2022.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Traditional and hospital epidemiological surveillance methods for acute respiratory viral infections were used.

RESULTS: The epidemic season of 2021–2022 was characterized by the early activity of the influenza A(H3N2) virus and the emergence and rapid spread of the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. The distribution of different respiratory pathogens during the epidemic season 2021–2022 was clearly traced: SARS-CoV-2 (18.8%) was predominant, followed by influenza viruses (10.6%) and pathogens of other acute respiratory viral infections (0.4–3.7%). With respect to influenza A (H3N2) and B viruses, the heterogeneity of their populations and drift variability in relation to vaccine strains were noted.

DISCUSSION: The frequency of co-infection with various respiratory pathogens was low, i.e., it was no more than 0.1%according to traditional surveillance, and no more than 9.2% in the hospital surveillance. The rationale for updating the composition of influenza vaccines for the countries in the Northern Hemisphere for 2022–2023 season was identified.

CONCLUSION: At present, early diagnosis of influenza is important given the availability of effective drugs with a direct mechanism of action for the prevention and treatment of this pathogen. Timely use of anti-influenza drugs will reduce the risks of a severe course, complications, and death, including co-infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords

ARVI / co-infections / epidemic season 2021–2022 / influenza / SARS-CoV-2 / composition of influenza vaccines in the 2022–2023 season in the Northern Hemisphere

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