Work

Epidemiology, co-infection, and seasonal patterns of respiratory tract infections in a tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia between 2021 and 2022

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives: To investigate the etiology and epidemiological trends of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia, focusing on age and seasonality. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 19,509 respiratory specimens collected from January 2021 to December 2022 at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, using the BioFire Filmarray Respiratory Panel 2.1 plus kit. Results: Of the analyzed specimens, 53.3% (10,406) tested positive for at least one pathogen. Pediatric patients represented 72.5% of positive cases. Rhinovirus/enterovirus (32%) was the most prevalent, followed by SARS-CoV-2 (16%), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV; 13%), and adenovirus (10%). Conclusions: The study underscores the significant seasonality and age-specific prevalence of RTIs, with winter peaks and a high incidence of rhinovirus/enterovirus, SARS-CoV-2, RSV, and adenovirus. These results emphasize the necessity of ongoing surveillance and targeted public health interventions to manage RTIs effectively.

Source: Frontiers in Public Health

DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1492653

Authors: Nabeel Alzahrani, Ahmed Alshehri, Ali Alshehri, Sameera Al Johani

Institutions: King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, National Guard Health Affairs

Language: English

Topic: Respiratory viral infections research

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801