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The Disappearance of Respiratory Viruses in Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Anna Chiara Vittucci

    (General Pediatrics Unit, Pediatric Emergency and General Pediatrics Department, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy)

  • Livia Piccioni

    (Unit of Microbiology and Diagnostic Immunology, Department of Diagnostic and Laboratory Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy)

  • Luana Coltella

    (Unit of Microbiology and Diagnostic Immunology, Department of Diagnostic and Laboratory Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy)

  • Claudia Ciarlitto

    (General Pediatrics Unit, Pediatric Emergency and General Pediatrics Department, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy)

  • Livia Antilici

    (General Pediatrics Unit, Pediatric Emergency and General Pediatrics Department, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy)

  • Elena Bozzola

    (General Pediatrics Unit, Pediatric Emergency and General Pediatrics Department, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy)

  • Fabio Midulla

    (Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy)

  • Paolo Palma

    (Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology Unit, Academic Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy)

  • Carlo Federico Perno

    (Unit of Microbiology and Diagnostic Immunology, Department of Diagnostic and Laboratory Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy)

  • Alberto Villani

    (General Pediatrics Unit, Pediatric Emergency and General Pediatrics Department, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Background: Social distancing measures are used to reduce the spreading of COVID-19. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of local restrictions on the transmission of respiratory virus infections. Methods: we retrospectively analyzed the nasopharyngeal samples of all patients (0–18 years old) admitted with respiratory symptoms in a large Italian tertiary hospital during the last three seasons from 2018 to 2021. Results: A strong reduction in all viral respiratory infections was observed in the last season (2020–2021) compared to the two previous seasons (−79.69% and −80.66%, respectively). In particular, we found that during the epidemic period 2018–2019 and 2019–2020, the total number of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases was, respectively 726 and 689, while in the last season a total of five cases was detected. In the first months of 2018–2019 and 2019–2020, the total flu infections were 240 and 354, respectively, while in the last season we did not detect any influenza virus. As other viruses, the presence of Rhinovirus declined, but to a lesser extent: a total of 488 cases were assessed compared to the 1030 and 1165 cases of the two previous respective epidemic seasons. Conclusions: Public health interventions and distancing (including continuous use of face masks) settled to counter the pandemic spread of COVID-19 had a macroscopic impact on all respiratory virus transmission and related diseases, with a partial exception of Rhinovirus. The absence of viruses’ circulation could result in a lack of immunity and increased susceptibility to serious infections in the next seasons.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Chiara Vittucci & Livia Piccioni & Luana Coltella & Claudia Ciarlitto & Livia Antilici & Elena Bozzola & Fabio Midulla & Paolo Palma & Carlo Federico Perno & Alberto Villani, 2021. "The Disappearance of Respiratory Viruses in Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-8, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9550-:d:632865
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Luigi Matera & Raffaella Nenna & Valentina Rizzo & Francesca Ardenti Morini & Giuseppe Banderali & Mauro Calvani & Matteo Calvi & Giorgio Cozzi & Elisabetta Fabiani & Raffaele Falsaperla & Ahmad Kanta, 2020. "SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Impact on Pediatric Emergency Rooms: A Multicenter Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-12, November.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Giuseppe Sberna & Eleonora Lalle & Maria Beatrice Valli & Licia Bordi & Anna Rosa Garbuglia & Alessandra Amendola, 2022. "Changes in the Circulation of Common Respiratory Pathogens among Hospitalized Patients with Influenza-like Illnesses in the Lazio Region (Italy) during Fall Season of the Past Three Years," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-10, May.
    2. Ayodeji E. Ogunbayo & Milton T. Mogotsi & Hlengiwe Sondlane & Kelebogile R. Nkwadipo & Saheed Sabiu & Martin M. Nyaga, 2022. "Pathogen Profile of Children Hospitalised with Severe Acute Respiratory Infections during COVID-19 Pandemic in the Free State Province, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-13, August.
    3. Elena Bozzola & Sarah Barni & Alberto Villani, 2022. "Respiratory Syncytial Virus Pediatric Hospitalization in the COVID-19 Era," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-9, November.
    4. Elena Bozzola, 2021. "Respiratory Syncytial Virus Resurgence in Italy: The Need to Protect All Neonates and Young Infants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-3, December.

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