Work

Comparative analysis of microscopic methods for diagnosing intestinal helminthiasis (Ascaris lumbricoides)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: circulation of RVs in all subjects enrolled in virological surveillance of influenza in the Apulia region.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on all specimens collected through routine influenza surveillance from the 2016/2017 to 2023/2024 seasons, which were screened by realtime PCR for influenza A/B, RSV A/B, adenovirus, enterovirus, parainfluenza viruses 1-4, metapneumovirus, bocavirus, rhinovirus, and human coronavirus (NL63, 229E, and OC43) and from the 2020/2021 season for SARS-CoV-2.Demographic data were analyzed with STATA-14.0.Results: During the study period, 2,627 samples were analyzed.Among the enrolled subjects, 52.2% were male.The median age was 36 years (IQR:11-56).The positivity rate for at least one of the viruses tested was 65.1%.Viral coinfections were identified in 10.3% of the samples.The seasons with the highest rate of positivity for respiratory viruses were 2017/2018 and 2021/2022 (71.1% and 72.4%, respectively).The peak of RV infections was registered in January, with the exception of the 2021/2022 season (March-April).Detection of RVs was highest in children < 5 years old (OR:4.0,95%CI:3.62-9.46,p < 0.01), with adenovirus, enterovirus, RSV and bocavirus among the viruses with the highest probability of detection.Patients aged ≥65 years were mainly affected by IVs and rhinoviruses, although adenoviruses and IVs were statistically less likely to be detected than the other age groups (OR:0.32,95%CI:0.11-0.89,p < 0.05; OR:0.58, 95%CI:0.46-0.72,p < 0.05).The average annual positivity rate for IVs was significantly higher in pre-pandemic years (2016/2017-2019/2020) than in post-pandemic years (2021/2022-2023/2024), 45.0% and 32.3% (p < 0.01), respectively.Discussion: The highest rate of RVs positivity was recorded in the 2021/2022 season after the COVID-19 pandemic, with a postponed peak, reflecting the use of nonpharmacological interventions.According to other studies, RVs were more likely to be detected in the under-5 age group.The higher prevalence of comorbidity in individuals aged ≥65 years, at a higher risk of developing a bacterial respiratory infection, may explain the lower rate of positivity for a viral infection in this age group. Conclusion:The study suggests extending virological surveillance to non-IVs for a better comprehension of the etiology of ILIs.In addition, the case definition of ILI may not be as accurate as that of acute respiratory infections in individuals > 5 years when applied to non-IVs.Therefore, the case definition should be modified for surveillance purposes.

Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107528

Authors: Ms Natalia Golovchenko, Dr Larisa Ermakova, Mrs Irina Khutoryanina, Ms Maria Chernikova, Professor Evgeniya Chernikova

Institutions: Rostov Research Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education

Language: English

Topic: Parasites and Host Interactions

Subfield: Parasitology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,900