Etiology of acute respiratory infections associated with development of the COVID-19 pandemic
DOI: 10.32364/2618-8430-2025-8-4-11
S.P. Kokoreva, O.A. Razuvaev, A.V. Makarova, V.B. Kotlova
N.N. Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University, Voronezh, Russian Federation
Background: data on interference of respiratory pathogens with the SARS-CoV-2 virus are being studied.
Aim: to study regional patterns of changing etiology of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) leading to hospitalization in children from 2020 to 2024.
Materials and Methods: etiological structure of acute respiratory infection was analyzed in 13,213 children hospitalized from 2020 to 2024. The etiology was confirmed by a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test (Respiratory Screen) of throat and nasal swabs, a SARS-CoV-2 PCR test, and PCR and ELISA tests for respiratory mycoplasmosis. Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA samples were analyzed in 108 children with respiratory mycoplasmosis to identify mutations that lead to macrolide resistance.
Results: since an onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, other respiratory viral infections and respiratory mycoplasmosis were reported to be less common pathogens of respiratory diseases. Along with change in their common seasonal cycles, rhinoviruses were the first to adapt to the leading role of SARS-CoV-2 and active anti-epidemic measures. In the second half of 2021, a respiratory syncytial infection surge was reported. Parainfluenza, adenovirus, and bocavirus infections also became more common along with altered seasonal cycles. Only since the end of 2022, influenza incidence with a persistent common winter-spring seasonal cycle began to increase. In 2023, in addition to decreased incidence of COVID-19, mycoplasmal infection with an extended epidemiological seasonal cycle assumed a leading role in the etiological structure of respiratory infections in hospitalized children in the region. In the autumn of 2024, a significantly increased incidence of bocavirus infection as compared to other respiratory pathogens was reported in hospitalized children with clinical manifestations of ARIs in the region.
Conclusion: the novel coronavirus pandemic and anti-epidemic measures have had a significant impact on common circulation of respiratory pathogens and etiological structure of respiratory infections in the region. The study of regional characteristics of respiratory infections in both epidemiological and clinical aspects is important to choose the best possible therapy for ARIs in children.
Keywords: children, acute respiratory infections, pandemic of new coronavirus infection, etiology of acute respiratory infections, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19.
For citation: Kokoreva S.P., Razuvaev O.A., Makarova A.V., Kotlova V.B. Etiology of acute respiratory infections associated with development of the COVID-19 pandemic. Russian Journal of Woman and Child Health. 2025;8(4):353–359 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2618-8430-2025-8-4-11
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Svetlana P. Kokoreva — Dr. Sc. (Med.), Assistant Professor, Head of the Department of Pediatric Infections, N.N. Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University; 10, Studencheskaya str., Voronezh, 394036, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0000-0002-3387-9803
Oleg A. Razuvaev — C. Sc. (Med.), Assistant Professor of the Department of Pediatric Infections, N.N. Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University; 10, Studencheskaya str., Voronezh, 394036, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0000-0002-3648-5076
Alla V. Makarova — C. Sc. (Med.), Assistant Professor of the Department of Pediatric Infections, N.N. Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University; 10, Studencheskaya str., Voronezh, 394036, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0000-0001-6901-314X
Veronika B. Kotlova — C. Sc. (Med.), Assistant Professor of the Department of Pediatric Infections, N.N. Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University; 10, Studencheskaya str., Voronezh, 394036, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0000-0002-0520-2977
Contact information: Oleg A. Razuvaev, e-mail: oleg.razuvaev@gmail.com
Financial Disclosure: no authors have a financial or property interest in any material or method mentioned.
There is no conflict of interest.
Received 01.10.2025.
Revised 24.10.2025.
Accepted 20.11.2025.
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