In-Depth Analysis of the Re-Emergence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Germany in the Summer of 2021 after the Alleviation of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions Due to the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic
Mario Hönemann,
Stephanie Thiem,
Sandra Bergs,
Tom Berthold,
Christian Propach,
Manuela Siekmeyer,
Armin Frille,
Tillmann Wallborn,
Melanie Maier,
Corinna Pietsch
Affiliations
Mario Hönemann
Virology Department, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Stephanie Thiem
Virology Department, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Sandra Bergs
Virology Department, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Tom Berthold
Virology Department, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Christian Propach
Virology Department, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Manuela Siekmeyer
Department of Pediatrics, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20a, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Armin Frille
Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Tillmann Wallborn
Department of Pediatrics, Klinikum St. Georg, Delitzscher Strasse 141, 04129 Leipzig, Germany
Melanie Maier
Virology Department, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Corinna Pietsch
Virology Department, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Following the extensive non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and behavioral changes in the wake of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, an interseasonal rise in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases was observed in Germany in 2021. The aim of this study was to characterize the local molecular epidemiology of RSV infections in comparison to the three pre-pandemic seasons. Additionally, clinical data were retrieved from patient charts to determine the clinical significance of RSV infections. RSV detections peaked in calendar week 40 of 2021, 18 weeks earlier than the usual peak observed in the three pre-pandemic seasons. Sequence analysis revealed a close phylogenetic relatedness regardless of the season of origin. A significantly higher amount of pediatric cases (88.9% of all cases, p p = 0.004), a lower rate of fever (p = 0.007), and a reduced amount of co-infections (p = 0.001). Although the mean age of the adult patients was significantly younger (47.1 vs. 64.7, p < 0.001), high rates of comorbidities, lower respiratory tract infections and intensive care unit admissions prevailed. The NPIs in the wake of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic had a tremendous impact on the epidemiologic characteristics and seasonality of RSV and warrant further epidemiologic studies of this important pathogen.
