Detection of respiratory viruses during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ibaraki and Gunma Prefectures, Japan

Abstract

Respiratory infections are common diseases, the most common causative agent is a virus. In case of novel viral diseases pandemic like the COVID-19, routinely surveillance of respiratory viruses is useful. In this study, to clarify what kind of virus is involved in suspected cases of COVID-19 in the early stages of the pandemic, we attempted to detect various respiratory viruses from 613 specimens that tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 using RT- PCR method. Viruses were detected from 59 (9.6%) patients. Human rhinovirus (HRV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), human respiratory syncytial virus, and human parechovirus were detected in 29 cases, 25 cases, 3 cases, and 2 cases, respectively. Although this study was conducted in a short period of time and not all specimens were tested, these results indicate that various respiratory viruses, especially HRV and HMPV can be detected even in the early stages of a pandemic, such as COVID-19. Because various respiratory viruses maintain a constant effect during the outbreak of the newly emerged pandemic respiratory virus, to make good use for clinical and public health, from normal period systematic surveillance about respiratory viruses is needed.