Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) testing is generally available in most care centres, but it is rarely performed because clinicians’ seldom suspect RSV to be the underlying pathogen in adults with respiratory disease. Here, we evaluate the impact of broad combined influenza/RSV testing on the clinical practice. Overall, 103 patients were tested positively for RSV. Our study indicates that positively tested patients were mostly of advanced age and suffered from chronic diseases. Mortality was significant in our cohort and higher in patients with advanced age. Further, we report a significant increase in detected RSV cases but also in detection rate. Together, these findings suggest that implementation of a combined influenza/RSV testing led to a significant increase in detection rate, supported clinicians establishing the correct diagnosis and allowed a safe and controlled handling of RSV patients.

Details

Title
Surveillance of respiratory syncytial virus infections in adults, Austria, 2017 to 2019
Author
Schubert, Lorenz 1 ; Steininger, Johanna 1 ; Lötsch Felix 1 ; Herdina Anna Nele 2 ; Redlberger-Fritz Monika 3 ; Tobudic Selma 1 ; Kundi, Michael 4 ; Strassl, Robert 2 ; Steininger Christoph 1 

 Medical University of Vienna, Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Vienna, Austria (GRID:grid.22937.3d) (ISNI:0000 0000 9259 8492) 
 Medical University of Vienna, Division of Clinical Virology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Vienna, Austria (GRID:grid.22937.3d) (ISNI:0000 0000 9259 8492) 
 Medical University Vienna, Department of Virology, Vienna, Austria (GRID:grid.22937.3d) (ISNI:0000 0000 9259 8492) 
 Medical University of Vienna, Department for Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Vienna, Austria (GRID:grid.22937.3d) (ISNI:0000 0000 9259 8492) 
Publication year
2021
Publication date
2021
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
20452322
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2518557789
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2021. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.