Viral and Atypical Pathogen's Epidemiology of a Large Cohort of Patients with Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in Shaanxi Province, Northwest China

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze and summarize the etiological and epidemiological characteristics of acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs) in northwest China to improve the clinical management and prevention of local ARIs. Methods: Patients with ARIs in Shaanxi Province, from January 2014 to December 2018, were retrospectively analyzed. Indirect immuno-fluorescence assay (IFA) was used to detect the IgM antibody of eight respiratory pathogens. Results: A total of 15,543 eligible patients were included in this study. Overall, 36.01% of the patients (5597/15543) were positive for at least one of eight pathogens, among which single and mixed infections accounted for 74.65% (4178/5597) and 25.35% (1419/5597), respectively. Mycoplasma (MP) showed the highest detection rate (18.12%), followed by influenza virus B (Flu B, 11.65%), chlamydia (CP, 7.00%), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV, 4.18%), parainfluenza virus (PIV, 2.83%), influenza virus A (Flu A, 1.69%), legionella (LP, 1.00%) and adenovirus (ADV, 0.70%). Flu B (17.54%, 759/4327) was the most prevalent virus in patients aged less than 18 years. In addition, common respiratory infections with higher detection rates were found in autumn (39.65%), followed by winter (37.37%), summer (36.21%) and spring (30.91%). There were significant differences in the detection rates of pathogens in different seasons (P < 0.001). Conclusion: These findings serve as a reference for local health authorities to develop further plans for the prevention and control of ARIs.