The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinical and Epidemiological Profile of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection in Bahia, Brazil: A Comparative Analysis of Pre- and Post-Pandemic Trends

In recent years, the incidence of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) has increased due to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2. However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic extends beyond mortality rates. Recent analyses suggest that the introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2 have significantly affecte...

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Main Authors: Káriton Magalhães Bronze, Uener Ribeiro dos Santos, Galileu Barbosa Costa, Anaiá da Paixão Sevá, Maíra Guimarães Kersul, Cathianne Sacramento Pinto, George Rego Albuquerque, Ana Paula Melo Mariano, Sandra Rocha Gadelha
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Viruses
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/389
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author Káriton Magalhães Bronze
Uener Ribeiro dos Santos
Galileu Barbosa Costa
Anaiá da Paixão Sevá
Maíra Guimarães Kersul
Cathianne Sacramento Pinto
George Rego Albuquerque
Ana Paula Melo Mariano
Sandra Rocha Gadelha
author_facet Káriton Magalhães Bronze
Uener Ribeiro dos Santos
Galileu Barbosa Costa
Anaiá da Paixão Sevá
Maíra Guimarães Kersul
Cathianne Sacramento Pinto
George Rego Albuquerque
Ana Paula Melo Mariano
Sandra Rocha Gadelha
author_sort Káriton Magalhães Bronze
collection DOAJ
description In recent years, the incidence of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) has increased due to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2. However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic extends beyond mortality rates. Recent analyses suggest that the introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2 have significantly affected the epidemiology of other key respiratory viruses, such as influenza virus (FLUV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and rhinovirus (RV). These changes raise new questions about the dynamics and incidence of post-COVID-19 respiratory infections, as well as potential alterations in symptom profiles and clinical outcomes. In this study, we analyzed data from the Epidemiological Surveillance Information System of Respiratory Viral Agents (SIVEP-Gripe), established by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, to examine the profile of SARI before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Our data reveal a distinct epidemiological pattern, with a significant decrease in FLUV notifications during the pandemic, accompanied by peaks in RSV and RV cases in late 2020. Additionally, there was a shift in the age distribution of RSV and other viral infections, with individuals infected during the pandemic being older than those infected before the pandemic. Interestingly, the introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Bahia State resulted in a reduction in the frequency of symptoms associated with non-SARS-CoV-2 SARI, without altering clinical outcomes. Our findings suggest that the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 has contributed to a clinical and epidemiological shift, particularly for FLUV, RSV, and other viruses, marked by a reduction in symptoms such as fever, dyspnea, respiratory distress, and the need for ventilatory support. The underlying mechanisms driving these changes remain unclear. These insights are crucial for public health authorities and policymakers to refine surveillance strategies and enhance control measures for respiratory viruses, particularly those causing SARI.
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spelling doaj-art-6cd20bd9e6db4ae0bf22d48d350f4cf22025-08-20T01:49:55ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152025-03-0117338910.3390/v17030389The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinical and Epidemiological Profile of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection in Bahia, Brazil: A Comparative Analysis of Pre- and Post-Pandemic TrendsKáriton Magalhães Bronze0Uener Ribeiro dos Santos1Galileu Barbosa Costa2Anaiá da Paixão Sevá3Maíra Guimarães Kersul4Cathianne Sacramento Pinto5George Rego Albuquerque6Ana Paula Melo Mariano7Sandra Rocha Gadelha8Laboratório de Farmacogenômica e Epidemiologia Molecular, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus 45662-900, Bahia, BrazilFaculdade Ages de Medicina de Irecê, Colegiado de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Rua Atacadão, Irecê 44900-000, Bahia, BrazilLaboratório de Farmacogenômica e Epidemiologia Molecular, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus 45662-900, Bahia, BrazilPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal (PPGCA), Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus 45662-900, Bahia, BrazilPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal (PPGCA), Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus 45662-900, Bahia, BrazilSecretaria de Saúde do Estado da Bahia, Salvador 45652-050, Bahia, BrazilLaboratório de Farmacogenômica e Epidemiologia Molecular, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus 45662-900, Bahia, BrazilLaboratório de Farmacogenômica e Epidemiologia Molecular, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus 45662-900, Bahia, BrazilLaboratório de Farmacogenômica e Epidemiologia Molecular, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus 45662-900, Bahia, BrazilIn recent years, the incidence of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) has increased due to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2. However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic extends beyond mortality rates. Recent analyses suggest that the introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2 have significantly affected the epidemiology of other key respiratory viruses, such as influenza virus (FLUV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and rhinovirus (RV). These changes raise new questions about the dynamics and incidence of post-COVID-19 respiratory infections, as well as potential alterations in symptom profiles and clinical outcomes. In this study, we analyzed data from the Epidemiological Surveillance Information System of Respiratory Viral Agents (SIVEP-Gripe), established by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, to examine the profile of SARI before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Our data reveal a distinct epidemiological pattern, with a significant decrease in FLUV notifications during the pandemic, accompanied by peaks in RSV and RV cases in late 2020. Additionally, there was a shift in the age distribution of RSV and other viral infections, with individuals infected during the pandemic being older than those infected before the pandemic. Interestingly, the introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Bahia State resulted in a reduction in the frequency of symptoms associated with non-SARS-CoV-2 SARI, without altering clinical outcomes. Our findings suggest that the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 has contributed to a clinical and epidemiological shift, particularly for FLUV, RSV, and other viruses, marked by a reduction in symptoms such as fever, dyspnea, respiratory distress, and the need for ventilatory support. The underlying mechanisms driving these changes remain unclear. These insights are crucial for public health authorities and policymakers to refine surveillance strategies and enhance control measures for respiratory viruses, particularly those causing SARI.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/389SARS-CoV-2influenza virusrespiratory syncytial virusseasonalitysymptomsSARI
spellingShingle Káriton Magalhães Bronze
Uener Ribeiro dos Santos
Galileu Barbosa Costa
Anaiá da Paixão Sevá
Maíra Guimarães Kersul
Cathianne Sacramento Pinto
George Rego Albuquerque
Ana Paula Melo Mariano
Sandra Rocha Gadelha
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinical and Epidemiological Profile of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection in Bahia, Brazil: A Comparative Analysis of Pre- and Post-Pandemic Trends
Viruses
SARS-CoV-2
influenza virus
respiratory syncytial virus
seasonality
symptoms
SARI
title The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinical and Epidemiological Profile of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection in Bahia, Brazil: A Comparative Analysis of Pre- and Post-Pandemic Trends
title_full The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinical and Epidemiological Profile of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection in Bahia, Brazil: A Comparative Analysis of Pre- and Post-Pandemic Trends
title_fullStr The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinical and Epidemiological Profile of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection in Bahia, Brazil: A Comparative Analysis of Pre- and Post-Pandemic Trends
title_full_unstemmed The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinical and Epidemiological Profile of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection in Bahia, Brazil: A Comparative Analysis of Pre- and Post-Pandemic Trends
title_short The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinical and Epidemiological Profile of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection in Bahia, Brazil: A Comparative Analysis of Pre- and Post-Pandemic Trends
title_sort impact of the covid 19 pandemic on the clinical and epidemiological profile of severe acute respiratory infection in bahia brazil a comparative analysis of pre and post pandemic trends
topic SARS-CoV-2
influenza virus
respiratory syncytial virus
seasonality
symptoms
SARI
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/389
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