The Concurrent Identification of SARS-Cov-۲ and Influenza A/B Viruses in Nasopharyngeal Swabs Using Multiplex Real-time PCR

Introduction: Respiratory viral infections vary in their clinical presentation, treatment approaches and outcomes. Therefore, accurate, timely and cost-effective detection of key pathogens, particularly SARS-CoV-۲ and influenza A/B, which are among the most common causes of respiratory infections, is crucial. This study aimed to identify the presence of COVID-۱۹ and influenza A/B, as well as their co-occurrence, in hospitalized pediatric patients presenting with respiratory viral infections symptoms.Materials & Methods: Nasopharyngeal specimens were collected from pediatric patients admitted to Mofid Children’s Hospital in Tehran, Iran who exhibited symptoms of viral respiratory infections. Detection of SARS-CoV-۲ and influenza A/B was achieved using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) following total RNA extraction of samples. Data regarding symptoms and other pertinent information about the patients were collected via a questionnaire.Results: A total of ۲,۳۵۳ hospitalized children in this study, ranging from under one year old to ۱۸ years old. Of these ۴۳% were female and ۵۷% male. Fever was the most commonly reported symptom. The results of the multiplex real-time PCR were positive in ۸% of cases, including ۵۵% for COVID-۱۹, ۸.۵% forinfluenza A, ۲۶% for influenza B, and ۱۰.۵% for co-infections.Conclusion: The results of this study suggest a decline in seasonal influenza incidence compared to previous years, potentially due to the improved personal protection measures during to the COVID-۱۹ pandemic. On the other hand, the presence of co-infection in this study is important and this co-infection should be considered in treatment and diagnostic systems in respiratory infection by physicians. Importantly, the presence of co-infections highlights the need for clinicians to consider dual pathogen involvement in diagnosis and treatment strategies for respiratory infections.

Keywords:

covid-۱۹ , Influenza , Co-infection , Multiplex real- time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)