The changing pattern of common respiratory viruses among children from 2018-2021 in Wuhan, China

Abstract

Abstract Background Acute respiratory infections in children are a global public health challenge. Owing to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, non-pharmaceutical interventions, including patient isolation, social distancing, handwashing, and mask wearing, have been widely implemented, impacting the transmission of common respiratory viruses. We aimed to clarify the epidemiological features of respiratory viruses in children aged under 14 years in Wuhan before and after COVID-19.Methods Respiratory specimens were collected from patients aged < 14 years at two hospitals in Wuhan, China, from January 2018 to December 2021. Seven respiratory viruses were identified using immunofluorescence. Pathogen profiles and seasonality were analysed.Results The number of visits and virus detection rate decreased dramatically after February 2020. The respiratory virus detection rate peaked in January and December and decreased dramatically in February and August. The detection rate was lower in 2021 than in 2018 and 2019. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was identified as the leading pathogen in children aged < 1 year and 1–4 years before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. In children aged 5–14 years, influenza virus was detected with the highest rate before, and RSV after, the COVID-19 pandemic. RSV was the most common coinfection virus.Conclusions This study revealed the epidemiological patterns of common respiratory viruses from 2018 to 2021. The spectrum of pathogens involved in paediatric respiratory infection partly changed. Non-pharmaceutical interventions offered fewer opportunities for spread of common viruses, also induced an “immunity debt” and could have negative consequences when the pandemic is under control in Wuhan.