A Retrospective Study of Respiratory Viruses in a Four-Year Study of Nasal Swabs from Patients with Severe Influenza-like Symptoms in the Lazio Region, Italy

The global outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the strategies adopted by different nations have affected and altered the transmission of different respiratory pathogens around the world. We examined the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the spread of respirator...

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Main Authors: Giuseppe Sberna, Licia Bordi, Cosmina Mija, Enrico Girardi, Fabrizio Maggi, Eleonora Lalle
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Viruses
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/452
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author Giuseppe Sberna
Licia Bordi
Cosmina Mija
Enrico Girardi
Fabrizio Maggi
Eleonora Lalle
author_facet Giuseppe Sberna
Licia Bordi
Cosmina Mija
Enrico Girardi
Fabrizio Maggi
Eleonora Lalle
author_sort Giuseppe Sberna
collection DOAJ
description The global outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the strategies adopted by different nations have affected and altered the transmission of different respiratory pathogens around the world. We examined the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the spread of respiratory viruses in the period between 2021 and 2024 in patients with severe influenza-like symptoms in the Lazio region using multiplex PCR tests for the identification of common seasonal respiratory viruses. Our data reveal a change in the transmission of respiratory viruses from 2021 to 2024, with a sharp decline in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and a rise in the transmission of other respiratory viruses, especially influenza viruses, and human rhinovirus/enterovirus in 2024. Moreover, viral co-infections, both those involving two viruses and those involving three viruses, have also increased. This work shows how the spread of SARS-CoV-2 influenced the spread of other respiratory viruses over four years in patients with severe influenza-like symptoms in the Lazio region. In conclusion, the resurgence and fluctuation of various respiratory viruses emphasize the dynamic nature of viral epidemiology in the post-pandemic context and highlight the ongoing need for vigilant public health monitoring and intervention strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-8bd4d07164ed418ea6d971a31b902ff32025-08-20T01:50:10ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152025-03-0117345210.3390/v17030452A Retrospective Study of Respiratory Viruses in a Four-Year Study of Nasal Swabs from Patients with Severe Influenza-like Symptoms in the Lazio Region, ItalyGiuseppe Sberna0Licia Bordi1Cosmina Mija2Enrico Girardi3Fabrizio Maggi4Eleonora Lalle5Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety Laboratories, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani—IRCCS, 00149 Rome, ItalyLaboratory of Virology and Biosafety Laboratories, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani—IRCCS, 00149 Rome, ItalyLaboratory of Virology and Biosafety Laboratories, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani—IRCCS, 00149 Rome, ItalyScientific Direction, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani—IRCCS, 00149 Rome, ItalyLaboratory of Virology and Biosafety Laboratories, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani—IRCCS, 00149 Rome, ItalyLaboratory of Virology and Biosafety Laboratories, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani—IRCCS, 00149 Rome, ItalyThe global outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the strategies adopted by different nations have affected and altered the transmission of different respiratory pathogens around the world. We examined the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the spread of respiratory viruses in the period between 2021 and 2024 in patients with severe influenza-like symptoms in the Lazio region using multiplex PCR tests for the identification of common seasonal respiratory viruses. Our data reveal a change in the transmission of respiratory viruses from 2021 to 2024, with a sharp decline in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and a rise in the transmission of other respiratory viruses, especially influenza viruses, and human rhinovirus/enterovirus in 2024. Moreover, viral co-infections, both those involving two viruses and those involving three viruses, have also increased. This work shows how the spread of SARS-CoV-2 influenced the spread of other respiratory viruses over four years in patients with severe influenza-like symptoms in the Lazio region. In conclusion, the resurgence and fluctuation of various respiratory viruses emphasize the dynamic nature of viral epidemiology in the post-pandemic context and highlight the ongoing need for vigilant public health monitoring and intervention strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/452respiratory virusesSARS-CoV-2post-pandemic era
spellingShingle Giuseppe Sberna
Licia Bordi
Cosmina Mija
Enrico Girardi
Fabrizio Maggi
Eleonora Lalle
A Retrospective Study of Respiratory Viruses in a Four-Year Study of Nasal Swabs from Patients with Severe Influenza-like Symptoms in the Lazio Region, Italy
Viruses
respiratory viruses
SARS-CoV-2
post-pandemic era
title A Retrospective Study of Respiratory Viruses in a Four-Year Study of Nasal Swabs from Patients with Severe Influenza-like Symptoms in the Lazio Region, Italy
title_full A Retrospective Study of Respiratory Viruses in a Four-Year Study of Nasal Swabs from Patients with Severe Influenza-like Symptoms in the Lazio Region, Italy
title_fullStr A Retrospective Study of Respiratory Viruses in a Four-Year Study of Nasal Swabs from Patients with Severe Influenza-like Symptoms in the Lazio Region, Italy
title_full_unstemmed A Retrospective Study of Respiratory Viruses in a Four-Year Study of Nasal Swabs from Patients with Severe Influenza-like Symptoms in the Lazio Region, Italy
title_short A Retrospective Study of Respiratory Viruses in a Four-Year Study of Nasal Swabs from Patients with Severe Influenza-like Symptoms in the Lazio Region, Italy
title_sort retrospective study of respiratory viruses in a four year study of nasal swabs from patients with severe influenza like symptoms in the lazio region italy
topic respiratory viruses
SARS-CoV-2
post-pandemic era
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/452
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