Respiratory syncytial virus incidence and typing in the last six seasons in the north of Spain (Asturias). Genetic characterization during the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic

• Published in: Journal of medical virology 2024-03, Vol.96 (3), p.e29499-n/a
• Main Authors: Rojo‐Alba, Susana, Martínez, Zulema Pérez, González‐Alba, José María, Boga, José Antonio, Varela, Cristina Ochoa, Álvarez, Maria Agustina Alonso, Fonseca, Carmen Pérez, Clemente, Marta María García, Rodriguez, José Gutierrez, García, Estibaliz Garrido, Pérez, Mercedes Rodríguez, García, Santiago Melón, Álvarez‐Argüelles, Marta Elena
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Child, Preschool; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Epidemiology; Genotypes; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Pandemics; Respiratory syncytial virus; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections - epidemiology; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human - genetics; Respiratory tract; Respiratory tract infection; Respiratory Tract Infections; RSV; SARS-CoV-2 - genetics; Seasons; Severe acute respiratory syndrome; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Spain - epidemiology; Viral diseases; Viruses
• ISSN: 0146-6615; 1096-9071
• DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29499

Respiratory syncytial virus is associated with lower respiratory tract infections. As several types and genotypes can circulate at the same time, genomic characterization is important for timely epidemiological control and treatment measures. In the last 6 seasons (2017–2023), 191 236 nasopharyngeal swabs were processed for respiratory viruses to determine the etiology of acute respiratory infections, describe the incidence and distribution of RSV types and enrich the data of epidemiological molecular studies on RSV in Spain. The incidence of RSV reached 7% in the pre‐pandemic season. RSV was most frequent in children under 5 years of age (12.6%), but was also significant in those over 70 years of age (5.63%). The measures taken to control SARS‐CoV‐2 infection were useful for RSV control and the incidence decreased to 1.8%, but caused a change in the types. Pre‐pandemic, the majority circulating types were RSV‐B/RSV‐B/RSV‐A and in the pandemic it was RSV‐B/RSV‐B. In the last season, RSV‐B and RSV‐A were detected in the same proportion. Genetic characterization showed three new clades. This has been taken into account to understand the epidemiology as well as the development of therapeutic and preventive strategies.