tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
BMJ Open
. 2025 Sep 4;15(9):e098006.
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-098006. Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus dynamics in Lao PDR during the COVID-19 pandemic: a hospital-based surveillance study
Koukeo Phommasone[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Danoy Chommanam[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Nathaniel C Christy[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Touxiong Yiaye[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Soulichanya Phoutthavong[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Patsalin Keomoukda[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Sompong Thammavong[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Thipsavanh Bounphiengsy[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Thongsavanh Lathsachack[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Latsaniphone Boutthasavong[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Vayouly Vidhamaly[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Bountoy Sibounheuang[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Ooyanong Phonemixay[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Siribun Panapruksachat[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Viladeth Praphasiri[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Sommay Keomany[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Bounthavy Chaleunphon[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Phouvieng Douangdala[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Matthew T Robinson[SUP] 2 8 [/SUP], Elizabeth M Batty[SUP] 8 9 [/SUP], Manivanh Vongsouvath[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Michael R Wiley[SUP] 10 [/SUP], Jessica D Wiley[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Ryan C Chapman[SUP] 10 [/SUP], Andrew G Letizia[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Mayfong Mayxay[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Audrey Dubot-Pérès[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Elizabeth A Ashley[SUP] 2 8 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Objectives: Globally, the circulation of influenza and other seasonal respiratory viruses changed dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to determine the trends of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) caused by SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, influenza B and respiratory syncytial viruses (RSVs) in patients presenting to hospitals in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) (Laos).
Design: Prospective surveillance study.
Setting: Four provincial hospitals across Laos between March 2021 and July 2023.
Participants: Participants of all ages who met our case definition for an ARI (axillary temperature ≥37.5°C or history of fever AND cough or other respiratory symptoms/signs OR loss of smell and/or taste) presenting to the hospital less than 10 days after symptom onset were eligible to be enrolled in the study. Combined nasopharyngeal and throat swabs were tested for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, influenza B and human RSV (hRSV) using probe-based real-time RT (Reverse transcription)-PCR assays.
Primary outcome measure: The proportion of patients in whom SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, influenza B and hRSV was detected.
Results: There were 4203 patients recruited, of whom 898 (21%) were children aged under 5 years. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 16.9% of patients, followed by influenza A, influenza B and hRSV (8.4%, 7.2% and 4.7%, respectively). 98 patients (2.3%) were diagnosed with probable co-infection, with at least two viruses detected. After May 2022, the number of cases of influenza A, influenza B and hRSV increased rapidly. Six per cent of patients (263) had a quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score of ≥2, and 34 (0.8%) patients died, of whom 11 tested positive for a respiratory virus.
Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic in Laos, few respiratory viruses were detected by passive surveillance until the relaxation of non-pharmaceutical interventions implemented for infection control. After restrictions were lifted, influenza A, influenza B and hRSV emerged rapidly, showing the importance of continuous surveillance.
Keywords: COVID-19; Respiratory infections; SARS-CoV-2 Infection.
. 2025 Sep 4;15(9):e098006.
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-098006. Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus dynamics in Lao PDR during the COVID-19 pandemic: a hospital-based surveillance study
Koukeo Phommasone[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Danoy Chommanam[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Nathaniel C Christy[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Touxiong Yiaye[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Soulichanya Phoutthavong[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Patsalin Keomoukda[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Sompong Thammavong[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Thipsavanh Bounphiengsy[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Thongsavanh Lathsachack[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Latsaniphone Boutthasavong[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Vayouly Vidhamaly[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Bountoy Sibounheuang[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Ooyanong Phonemixay[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Siribun Panapruksachat[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Viladeth Praphasiri[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Sommay Keomany[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Bounthavy Chaleunphon[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Phouvieng Douangdala[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Matthew T Robinson[SUP] 2 8 [/SUP], Elizabeth M Batty[SUP] 8 9 [/SUP], Manivanh Vongsouvath[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Michael R Wiley[SUP] 10 [/SUP], Jessica D Wiley[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Ryan C Chapman[SUP] 10 [/SUP], Andrew G Letizia[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Mayfong Mayxay[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Audrey Dubot-Pérès[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Elizabeth A Ashley[SUP] 2 8 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 40908018
- DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-098006
Objectives: Globally, the circulation of influenza and other seasonal respiratory viruses changed dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to determine the trends of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) caused by SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, influenza B and respiratory syncytial viruses (RSVs) in patients presenting to hospitals in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) (Laos).
Design: Prospective surveillance study.
Setting: Four provincial hospitals across Laos between March 2021 and July 2023.
Participants: Participants of all ages who met our case definition for an ARI (axillary temperature ≥37.5°C or history of fever AND cough or other respiratory symptoms/signs OR loss of smell and/or taste) presenting to the hospital less than 10 days after symptom onset were eligible to be enrolled in the study. Combined nasopharyngeal and throat swabs were tested for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, influenza B and human RSV (hRSV) using probe-based real-time RT (Reverse transcription)-PCR assays.
Primary outcome measure: The proportion of patients in whom SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, influenza B and hRSV was detected.
Results: There were 4203 patients recruited, of whom 898 (21%) were children aged under 5 years. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 16.9% of patients, followed by influenza A, influenza B and hRSV (8.4%, 7.2% and 4.7%, respectively). 98 patients (2.3%) were diagnosed with probable co-infection, with at least two viruses detected. After May 2022, the number of cases of influenza A, influenza B and hRSV increased rapidly. Six per cent of patients (263) had a quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score of ≥2, and 34 (0.8%) patients died, of whom 11 tested positive for a respiratory virus.
Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic in Laos, few respiratory viruses were detected by passive surveillance until the relaxation of non-pharmaceutical interventions implemented for infection control. After restrictions were lifted, influenza A, influenza B and hRSV emerged rapidly, showing the importance of continuous surveillance.
Keywords: COVID-19; Respiratory infections; SARS-CoV-2 Infection.