Detection of Respiratory Viruses in SARS-CoV-2-Negative Specimens from January to March 2020 in Fukuoka, Japan

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first confirmed in Japan on January 15, 2020. The Fukuoka Institute of Health and Environmental Sciences conducted testing using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 from January 31 to March 4, 2020. Samples (n = 119) were collected from 81 patients suspected of having SARS-CoV-2 infection, presenting with fever, cough, fatigue, pneumonia, and other symptoms; all the samples tested during that period were negative. To identify the pathogens responsible for these symptoms, we conducted multiplex PCR. Respiratory viruses, human metapneumovirus (hMPV) was detected in 10 patients (12%), human rhinovirus (HRV) in 3 patients (4%), and influenza B virus in 1 patient (1%). In addition, the patients who had the viruses were significantly older than those who did not. Infections with hMPV and HRV have been associated with a risk of severe illness and death among older adults. Therefore, differentiating SARS-CoV-2 from other respiratory viruses, such as hMPV and HRV, is necessary to prevent and control the spread of infection, especially in older adults.