Prospective hospital-based cohort studies of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections in infants under one year during and after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Japan

Int J Infect Dis. 2024 Dec:149:107252. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107252. Epub 2024 Sep 28.

Abstract

Objectives: In Japan, population-based epidemiological data on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are limited. To elucidate the epidemiology of RSV before the introduction of new prophylactic drugs, we conducted a population-based study during and after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Methods: This study was performed in four hospitals in Chiba City and three hospitals in Ichihara City. Clinical information and residual samples from RSV rapid antigen tests of infants under one year old were collected. Samples from patients with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) were analyzed using the FilmArray Respiratory 2.1 panels.

Results: A total of 1200 infants underwent the RSV rapid antigen test, with 497 diagnosed with LRTI. Although five samples could not be stored, 252 out of 492 (51.2%) were positive for RSV. Among the RSV PCR-positive infants, 63 (25.0%) had underlying diseases, compared to 100 out of 240 (41.7%) RSV PCR-negative infants (P < 0.05). In Chiba City, the annual incidence of hospitalization per 1000 children was 12.7 in 2021, 4.4 in 2022, and 9.2 in 2023.

Conclusions: During and after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, most hospitalized infants with RSV-LRTI did not have underlying diseases. Widespread use of prophylaxis in infants without underlying disease is desirable.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Hospitalization rate; Infants; Population; Respiratory syncytial virus.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Hospitalization* / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections* / diagnosis
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections* / epidemiology
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / isolation & purification
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / epidemiology
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / virology
  • SARS-CoV-2*