Circulation Patterns of Different Respiratory Virus and Bacteria in a Third Level Pediatric Hospital from 2022 to 2024 in Mexico

Background

As we learned during the pandemic, decision-making on the actions to be taken is essential for control and can prevent disastrous effects on the population. Infectious diseases occur in a frequently complex sociopolitical, geographic, environmental and economic context, the presence of a respiratory virus emergency can overload the health system, causing more deaths and loss of quality of life for the population. Knowing the circulation at local level of respiratory viruses and bacteria, especially in a vulnerable group like children can help have a better understanding of the agents behavior.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the results of 7931 respiratory samples collected from 6900 pediatric patients between 0-18 years old as a process for inpatients of the pediatric hospital in Mexico from January 2022 to October 2024.

We analyzed the distribution of the different respiratory viruses and bacteria detected including RSV, SARS-CoV-2, metapneumovirus, adenovirus, bordetella parapertussis, bordetella pertussis, for analysis purposes we grouped the parainfluenza subtypes PIV1-PIV4 in one parainfluenza group, the influenza subtypes A, A H1-A, A H1-B, A H4, B, H1-2009 in an influenza group and the Coronavirus 229E, HKU1, NL63,and OC 43 in the “ Other coronavirus”, group.

Results

From our study 45% of the samples were from feminine patients,55% were masculine, the study showed the extensive distribution and pattern of different respiratory virus, when comparing to the circulation of the viruses before the pandemic, the characteristics and etiology of the pattern changed, and continues changing during the years. Respiratory syncytial virus presents peaks of the infections during January, February, September, October, December. Rhinovirus and enterovirus are present all year long, Influenza subtypes and SARS-CoV-2 present a decrease in cases alongside other coronavirus. Another important factor is that some bacteria present an increase in cases, for example mycoplasma pneumoniae with an increase in during 2024.

Conclusions

The continuous circulation of different viruses and bacteria in pediatric patients can be a challenge for treatment and hospital saturation during the peaks in cases of the different agents. Preparedness and readiness is essential to be able to respond, not only to the respiratory infections but also to all the different diseases and conditions the patients present. Knowing the circulation and change in agents can help decision making and resource planning.